Electrophoretic analysis of salivary proteins from man and Macaca Fascicularis and immunological identification of salivary proline-rich proteins in the in-vivo, formed pellicle
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Abstract
The purpose of this work was to determine the effect of the flavonone, naringenin, on experimental dental caries and periodontal disease.
A total of eighty inbred male albino rats were divided into five groups. The animals (26 days of age) were fed a basal cariogenic diet supplemented with naringenin at a level of either 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4% or 0.8% of the diet for a period of 42 days. At the end of this period, the tooth surfaces of the jaws were examined under a dissecting microscope for smooth surface lesions. Similarly, proximal and sulcal lesions were recorded. Alveolar bone loss was scored on the buccal and lingual surfaces using a scaling lens; plaque formation was also recorded. Finally, the proximal surface caries were studied further using the scanning electron microscope.
The results obtained from the smooth surface examinations indicated that naringenin had an inhibitory effect on dental caries, particularly on the maxillary teeth. Such an effect was found to be less consistent in the lower teeth. In general, the data showed a bilateral symmetry in both the maxillary and mandibular molars. The proximal surface carious lesions seen under the dissecting microscope revealed that the naringenin effect was greater for the upper molars. In most of the cases, the extent of the carious lesions seemed to be confined to the enamel surfaces. The scanning electron microscope was used to score the same proximal surfaces and the results were found to be similar. In general, scanning microscopy revealed a clear-cut naringenin effect. The proximal lesions showed a discontinuity of the enamel surface and appeared as white etched areas. The results further revealed a higher caries incidence within the lower molars. Inhibition of proximal lesions seemed to be related to naringenin intake.
Sulcular lesions, scored under a dissecting micro- scope, showed a decrease of caries in both enamel and dentin when the rats were fed various levels of naringenin. Sulcular lesions were found to be associated with accumulations of debris that was observed, in most cases, in the deep occlusal grooves or in the major sulci. Furthermore, slight enamel fractures as well as attrition of the cusps were found in most of these teeth.
Alveolar bone loss was found to decrease with increased levels of naringenin. The lingual surfaces of the mandibular molars appeared to have the highest values for bone loss whereas the buccal surfaces on the same teeth exhibited the lowest values of bone resorption. Plaque evaluation also showed a decrease as the naringenin intake was increased. Plaque accumulations were seen to be slightly higher on the lingual surfaces of the lower molars; a lower plaque index was recorded for the buccal surfaces.
In summary, naringenin was generally found to have a significant inhibitory effect on dental caries and periodontal disease in the albino rat. These decreases were found to be closely related to the level of naringenin in the diet. The data of this investigation also suggests a close relationship between dental caries and periodontal disease in this animal. The inhibitory action of naringenin on dental caries and periodontal disease remains to be elucidated. It is likely that naringenin may have a direct effect on microorganisms in the oral cavity. However, other possibilities should also be considered, e.g. direct chemical or metabolic factors. Continued investigations of this and other flavonoids commonly found in human diets should be encouraged.
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Thesis (M.Sc.D.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, 1979 (Oral Biology)
Thesis (M.Sc.D.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, 1979 (Oral Biology)
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