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Serum and salivary total IgA, IgG and IgM as well as salivary innate non-immunoglobulin antimicrobial factors (lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary and leukocyte peroxidase systems) were measured in 13 children prone to recurrent respiratory infections and compared to their age-matched healthy controls. Serum IgG and IgM levels were significantly elevated and salivary IgA remarkably low in infection-prone children as compared to the controls. However, the levels of secretory piece-bearing IgA were about the same in both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in serum IgA levels or in any of the non-immunoglobulin factors. The results indicate that low salivary IgA is associated with recurrent respiratory infections.

Our aim was to study the effects of mildly flavoured sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)-containing and detergent-free toothpastes with and without betaine (BET) on subjective symptoms of dry mouth in a randomised clinical trial. BET is an osmoprotectant that reacts with molecules to supply the surface with a water coating that protects cells from surfactants. Twenty-seven xerostomic patients and 18 healthy controls took part in the randomised, double-blind clinical trial with a crossover design. Three mildly flavoured toothpastes: (1) 4% BET, (2) 1% SLS and 4% BET, and (3) 1% SLS were used for six weeks each. The reference or washout paste contained neither SLS nor BET. The subjects’ dental appointments were at the beginning of the trial and before and after the use of each toothpaste. At each appointment, the subjects were interviewed about subjective sensations of dry mouth (Visual Assessment Scoring (VAS) Index). The subjects did not report any adverse effects in connection with the use of the toothpastes. The VAS scores for lip dryness and eating difficulties were significantly lower for the BET paste (lip dryness: BET Citation Rantanen I, Tenovuo J, Pienihäkkinen K, et. al. Effects of a betaine-containing toothpaste on subjective symptoms of dry mouth, a randomised clinical trial. J Contemp Dent Pract 2003 May;(4)2:011-023.

The concentration of total mercury in stimulated saliva was studied in humans with dental amalgam fillings and in 2 nonamalgam groups. The probability of exceeding the limits of mercury permitted in wastewater increased proportionally as the number of amalgam-filled surfaces increased. The mercury limit for sewage is 0.05 mg/l (= 250 nmol/l) effluent, according to the Council of European Communities directive 84/156/EEC. In neither of the nonamalgam groups was this limit exceeded, but 20.5% in the amalgam group exceeded the limit (p < .001). The risk of exceeding the limit increased 2-fold for every 10 additional amalgam-filled surfaces (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.3, 3.3). These results demonstrate that humans, especially in populated areas, can be a significant source of mercury pollutants. As a consequence of mercury release, bacteria may acquire mercury resistance, as well as resistance to other antimicrobial agents, thus resulting in failure of antibiotic treatment.

We studied differences in the amounts of organic and inorganic mercury in saliva samples between amalgam and nonamalgam human study groups. The amount of organic and inorganic mercury in whole saliva was measured in 187 adult study subjects. The mercury contents were determined by cold–vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. The amount of organic and inorganic mercury in paraffin–stimulated saliva was significantly higher (pe (organic mercury) was linearly related to loge (inorganic mercury, r2 = 0.52). Spearman correlation coefficients of inorganic and organic mercury concentrations with the number of amalgam–filled tooth surfaces were 0.46 and 0.27, respectively. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that amalgam fillings may be a continuous source of organic mercury, which is more toxic than inorganic mercury, and almost completely absorbed by the human intestine.

Xylitol is effective as a noncariogenic or even cariostatic sugar substitute. Habitual xylitol consumption appears to select for mutans streptococci (MS) which shed easily into saliva from plaque. We have earlier shown that habitual xylitol consumption of mothers was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the probability of mother–child transmission of MS assessed at 2 years of age. The aim of the present study was to assess the children’s MS counts 1 and 4 years after the maternal xylitol consumption had been discontinued. At baseline, during pregnancy, all mothers (n = 195) showed high salivary levels of MS. The mothers were randomly assigned to xylitol, fluoride (F) and chlorhexidine (CHX) groups. In the xylitol group, the mothers chewed xylitol–sweetened gum, for 21 months, starting 3 months after delivery. In the two control groups, the mothers received CHX or F varnish treatments at 6, 12 and 18 months after delivery. At the 2–year examination, 169 mother–child pairs participated. At the 3–year and 6–year examinations, there were 159 and 147 children in the study, respectively. For children’s MS analyses, visible plaque was collected using toothpicks at the age of 3 and paraffin–stimulated saliva at the age of 6. The persons involved in the collection and analysis of the microbiological samples were blinded as to the study design and group. Both the plaque and salivary MS were cultured on Mitis salivarius agars containing bacitracin. In all groups, the colonization percentages increased during the follow–up. At the 3–year examination, the children’s risk of having MS colonization was 2.3–fold in the F group (95% CI 1.3–4.2) compared to the xylitol group. This difference was statistically significant. Even at 6 years of age, the salivary MS levels were significantly lower in the xylitol group than in the other groups (ANOVA, p

A novel slow-release administration device, the "Fall-Asleep Pacifier" (FAP), was studied as a prophylactic measure against mutans streptococcal oral infection and dental caries in a risk group of 1-year-old children by comparing the test (T, n = 34) and control (C, n = 88) groups in a prospective cohort study. In the T group the children received their fluoride tablets (Fludent, containing NaF corresp. 0.25 mg F0- , xylitol 159 mg and sorbitol 153 mg) in the evenings in FAP. In the C group the children received the same dose of Fludent crushed in food in the evenings. The proportion of children, whose plaque samples from the upper incisors were mutans streptococcus positive at the age of 24 months, was significantly (P < 0.05) greater in group C (25%) than in group T (9%). The children in the T group developed significantly (P < 0.001) less (none) new dentinal carious lesions in their primary dentitions than the children in the C group between 2 and 3 1/2 years of age. Fifty-four percent of the children to whom the FAP was offered complied with regular use of it. The beneficial effect observed in the T group compared with the C group was apparently mostly due to the administration mode via FAP, which could prolong the intra-oral bioavailability of the prophylactic preparation.

Objective. The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of a potent topical steroid, fluticasone propionate, on patients with early signs and symptoms of the common cold. To characterize the mucosal inflammatory response, salivary defense factors and flow rate in these patients were analyzed. Study Design. Forty patients with symptoms of the common cold were randomized into 2 groups to receive either high-dose fluticasone propionate (100 μg per nostril) or placebo 4 times daily for 6 days. Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva was collected on day 1 (before the onset of medication), day 7 (posttreatment), and day 21 (follow-up). Results. Salivary flow rate, innate host defense factors, and total protein content were not affected by the common cold. IgA increased between day 7 and day 21 ( P ≤ .01; Student 2-tailed t test), and the relative proportions of salivary peroxidase and IgA increased on day 7 ( P = .01) and day 21 ( P = .05). In patients receiving fluticasone, saliva flow rate was lower on day 21 ( P ≤ .05) than on days 1 and 7. The innate salivary defense factors were not affected, but IgA increased both on day 7 ( P ≤ .001) and on day 21 ( P ≤ .001) in comparison with day 1. Conclusions. Of the oral mucosal defense factors, only IgA is activated during the common cold. Intranasally administrated fluticasone propionate does not have a suppressive effect on salivary antimicrobial capacity. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1999;87:695-9)

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of bovine colostral whey proteins from cows immunized with Streptococcus mutans/Strep. sobrinus on the adherence and aggregation of caries-inducing bacteria, i.e. mutans streptococci. Both adherence and aggregation are important phenomena in the bacterial colonization of the human oral cavity. In all adherence experiments there was a significant difference between treatments by immune product (IP; from immunized cows) and a control product (CP; a similar product from non-immunized cows). The adherence of 35S-labelled Strep. mutans cells (serotype c) to parotid saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (SHA) was dose-dependently inhibited by both IP and CP if SHA was coated with either product before exposure to bacteria, but markedly lower concentrations of IP than CP were effective. When instead of SHA the bacterial cells were pretreated with IP or CP, only IP strongly and dose-dependently inhibited streptococcal adherence. When bacteria, IP or CP, and SHA were incubated simultaneously, a significant difference between IP and CP treatments was again found. Further, IP effectively aggregated both Strep. mutans and Strep. sobrinus cells, whereas hardly any effect was seen with CP. Both IP and CP aggregated the control bacterium Strep. sanguis, which affected the adherence of the pretreated bacteria.

Previous studies of the possible associations of salivary antimicrobial agents with dental caries have given controversial results, obviously mainly because almost all studies have been cross-sectional. Our aim was to find out, in a two-year longitudinal follow-up study, the associations among selected salivary non-immune and immune antimicrobial variables, cariogenic bacteria, and caries increment. The study population was comprised of 63 subjects, all of whom had their 13th birthday during the first study year. In addition to a comprehensive dental examination at baseline and after 2 yrs, paraffin-stimulated whole saliva samples were collected in a standardized way at six-month intervals. Saliva samples were analyzed for flow rate, buffer effect, lysozyme, lactoferrin, total peroxidase activity, hypothiocyanite, thiocyanate, agglutination rate, and total and specific anti-S. mutans IgA and IgG, as well as for numbers of total and mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and total anaerobic bacteria. Cluster analysis and Spearman-Rank correlation coefficients were used to explore possible associations between and among the studied variables. During the two-year period, a statistically significant increase was observed in flow rate, thiocyanate, agglutination rate, anti-S. mutans IgA antibodies, lactobacilli, and total anaerobes, whereas lysozyme, lactoferrin, and total and anti- S.mutans IgG antibodies declined significantly. Based on various analyses, it can be concluded that, at baseline, total IgG and hypothiocyanite had an inverse relationship with subsequent two-year caries increment, anti-S. mutans IgG antibodies increased with caries development, and mutans streptococci and lactobacilli correlated positively with both baseline caries and caries increment. Total anaerobic microflora was consistently more abundant among caries-free individuals. In spite of the above associations, we conclude that none of the single antimicrobial agents as such has sufficiently strong power to have diagnostic significance in vivo with respect to future caries.

Due to potential side-effects of active immunization by cariogenic mutans streptococci, oral administration of passively-derived antibodies could be a more acceptable way to reduce colonization and virulence of these microorganisms in human dentition. The aim of this study was to produce antistreptococcal immunoglobulins into bovine colostrum and explore the possible antibacterial mechanisms of these immunoglobulins against mutans streptococci. Specific serum IgG antibodies to whole cell antigens of both Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus increased rapidly in cows during immunization and were high also in the final whey-product. Low concentration (0.5% w/v) of bovine immune preparation inhibited significantly the incorporation of [14C]glucose by both S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Higher concentration (> 1%) was needed to inhibit the glucosyltransferase or fructosyltransferase activities of these bacteria. No such inhibitory effects were observed with the control preparation from the non-immunized cows. Our results indicate that bovine immune colostrum has a significant inhibitory potential against mutans streptococci, apparently dependent on the presence of specific IgG antibodies against S. mutans and S. sobrinus.

The human mouth is an important route of viral transmission and evidence exists that human saliva can neutralize some viruses, e.g. herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro. However, little is known of the actual antiviral agents in saliva. We have analyzed how hypothiocyanite (HOSCN/ − OSCN) ions, present in human saliva and generated by salivary peroxidase systems, affect the viability of three different types of viruses: HSV-1 (capable of inducing oral lesions), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, respiratory infections), and echovirus 11 (EV 11, enteric diseases). Viral suspensions were pretreated (30 min) with HOSCN/ − OSCN concentrations up to 180 μM both at pH 6.0 and 7.1 and inoculated into human gingival fibroblasts. The cultures were incubated at 37°C for 18–48 h, fixed and the infected cells were counted after immunoperoxidase staining. HSV-1 was most sensitive to HOSCN/ − OSCN with an IC 50 of 8.5 μM at pH 6.0 and an IC 50 of 20 μM at pH 7.1, respectively. RSV was inhibited by HOSCN/ − OSCN only at pH 6.0 with an IC 50 of 8.0 μM. EV 11 was also resistant at neutral pH, but sensitive at pH 6.0 with an IC 50 of 68 μM. In contrast to HSV-1 and RSV, the inhibition of EV 11 was not dependent on the concentration of HOSCN/ − OSCN. The inhibition was in all cases stronger at pH 6.0 than at neutral pH. Our results suggest that hypothiocyanite, a normal component of human whole saliva, in physiological concentrations effectively inhibits HSV-1 and RSV at acidic pH, whereas EV 11 is more resistant in vitro.

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of a 40% chlorhexidine (CHX) varnish (EC40, Certichem, Nijmegen, The Netherlands) with a 1% CHX-0.2% NaF gel in decreasing the level of salivary mutans streptococci (MS). The subjects were screened for a high level of MS using a Dentocult-SM strip method (Orion Diagnostica, Finland). In varnish groups with fluoride (VCHXF, n = 20) and without fluoride (VCHX, n = 19), the CHX varnish was applied on dry teeth using an ampoule and an anesthetic syringe with blunt needle, and removed after 15 min. In group VCHXF an additional 2.26% fluoride varnish (Duraphat, Woelm Pharma GmbH, Eschwege, Germany) was applied. The CHX-NaF gel treatment included the application of the gel with rubber cups and dental tape for 5 min on three occasions during a week in group GCHXF (n = 21). The level of MS (MSB agar) was significantly lower after 4 weeks than at baseline in VCHX (p0.001) and VCHXF (p0.05), but not after 12 weeks. In GCHXF a significant decrease (p = 0.001) was observed after 4 weeks only with the strip method. In VCHX and VCHXF the strip values for MS were still reduced after 12 weeks. In VCHX and GCHXF a small, although statistically significant, increase was observed in the total number of microorganisms after 4 and 12 weeks. Opinions on taste sensations associated with the treatments were generally negative, but least negative in the VCHXF group; fewer side effects were also reported in the VCHXF group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Concentrations of salivary antimicrobial factors are well documented in children and young adults, but little information is available on such defense factors in healthy elderly persons. We determined the levels of total IgA, total IgG, lysozyme, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, salivary peroxidase, amylase, sialic acid, and total protein in a group of 71 subjects aged 76, 81, and 86 yr, as well as their correlations to paraffin-wax-stimulated salivary flow rate. Participants were either unmedicated (n = 67) or using medicines with no oral significance (n = 4). Statistically significant negative correlations existed between flow rate and total IgA, lysozyme, lactoferrin, sialic acid, and total protein. Concentrations of sialic acid and salivary peroxidase were highest in the oldest age group. Total IgA concentration was higher in women than in men, although men showed higher concentrations of sialic acid and higher sialic acid/total protein ratios. Subjects with poor gingival health had higher concentrations of total protein than did those with no need for periodontal treatment. Edentulous subjects with complete dentures showed significantly lower concentrations of IgG, lactoferrin, and myeloperoxidase than did dentate subjects. Our results suggest that, when compared with data from previous studies, concentrations of salivary antimicrobial agents do not decline with age in unmedicated elderly people. However, defense factors which are derived also from gingival crevicular fluid are decreased in the absence of teeth.

Androgen receptors were demonstrated in human salivary glands by immunohistochemistry using polyclonal antibodies. Fresh, clinically healthy salivary gland samples (two from minor, seven from parotid and eight from submandibular glands) of both sexes were used. Frozen tissue sections were incubated with the antibody against human androgen receptor and visualized by an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Androgen receptors could be detected in all salivary tissues studied. Positive staining was confined to nuclei of almost all acinar cells as well as to the majority of nuclei in ductal cells. Very few of the nuclei of connective tissue and endothelial cells stained positively. The presence of androgen receptors in human salivary glands suggests possible direct effects of androgens on these tissues.

Both intra- and inter-individual variation in salivary flow rate, buffer effect, and the levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were analyzed in 128 11-year-old children. The follow-up period was 9 months, with six saliva samplings done at regular intervals. Inter-individual variation was relatively large in paraffin-stimulated salivary flow rate: low (1.0 ml/min) and high (or = 2.0 ml/min) flow rates were measured in 18% and 13% of the children, respectively. Intraindividual variation during the follow-up period was found in 63% of the boys and in 73% of the girls. The buffer effect stayed stable in all samplings in 59% of the boys and in 42% of the girls. Buffer effect was significantly (p0.001) lower in girls than in boys. Mutans streptococci were analyzed by a chair-side method (Strip mutans test) and by cultivation on mitis-salivarius-bacitracin (MSB) agar plates. The results of the two methods correlated highly significantly (r = 0.79, p0.001). With the Strip mutans test no variation in test scores occurred in 49% of all subjects in all six samplings, whereas the respective percentage for MSB scores was only 19%. No variation in salivary lactobacilli occurred in only 18% of the subjects, and in 13% the intraindividual variation was as high asor = 3 logs. These results show that in young teenagers with a developing dentition, simultaneous changes in behavioral, hormonal, and dietary factors make single-point measurements of salivary factors too unreliable for caries-diagnostic or predictive purposes.

Forty-five young adults were divided into three groups of equal size and given a professional toothcleaning (3 times during 1 wk) with dental gels containing either chlorhexidine (CHX, 1%), or a SnF2-amine fluoride (AmF) combination (F- content 1.20%). The control group received toothcleaning with a placebo gel. The study was done double blind. The number of salivary mutans streptococci was monitored for 11 wk after the gel treatment using both mitis-salivarius-bacitracin agar plates and the chairside method based on the adhesion of mutans streptococci on plastic strips (Dentocult-SM Strip mutans). Professional toothcleaning with a CHX gel was clearly most effective (P less than 0.001) but the baseline levels of streptococci returned in 11 wk. SnF2-AmF gel also reduced significantly (P less than 0.001) mutans streptococci but recolonization occurred already in 7 wk. Placebo gel, i.e. professional toothcleaning as such, did not show any statistically significant effect on the numbers of salivary mutans streptococci. None of the treatments affected the levels of lactobacilli or the total aerobic flora in saliva samples. Professional toothcleaning with a CHX gel, or with a SnF2-AmF gel, can be regarded as an alternative to the commonly used, but more patience demanding, application of gel in mouth trays at home for individuals with high caries activity.

The effect of 4 to 6 years of habitual use of xylitol gum (greater than or equal to 2 times per day) on the viable counts of mutans streptococci in both plaque and saliva was evaluated in a cross-sectional study of participants of the Ylivieska xylitol study (Finland, 1982-1984). Paraffin-stimulated saliva was collected first, whereafter the remaining plaque was collected from all available tooth surfaces and pooled. The habitual xylitol consumers (n = 15) had less plaque than the controls (n = 21). The total viable counts of mutans streptococci in the plaque collected from the habitual xylitol users were about 10% of those determined in controls (p less than 0.01). The salivary mutans streptococci levels were relatively high in both habitual xylitol consumers and controls, as determined using a plate count and with an adhesion-based assay; no significant differences were detected between these groups. Thus, habitual xylitol consumption appeared not to be associated with a reduction in the total numbers of mutans streptococci in saliva. The plaque and the mutans streptococci were, however, more loosely bound to the tooth surfaces of the habitual xylitol users. The results of the plate count and the adhesion-based assay for salivary mutans streptococci were in good agreement for both habitual xylitol consumers and the controls. This suggests that it was the accumulation of plaque rather than the adhesiveness of mutans streptococci that was affected by the habitual consumption of xylitol.

The relationship between the caries status and the microbiological status [mutans streptococci (MS)] in the proximal areas of lower right and upper left molars was investigated in subjects of the Ylivieska xylitol study in Finland (1982-1985) in a cross-sectional follow-up in 1988. Those children who had used xylitol chewing gum regularly since 1982 showed significantly lower caries indices in 1988, including the proximal caries scores. The presence of MS (expressed in log10 colony-forming units) in the proximal areas studied was significantly lower in habitual xylitol consumers. Carious interproximal areas of all subjects had significantly higher total levels of MS than clinically and radiographically sound interproximal areas. The present study supports the idea of a close association between MS and dental caries, and shows that the total level of MS in the human dentition can be influenced by xylitol. It is likely that the long-term (between 1982 and 1988) habitual xylitol consumption had decreased the prevalence of MS in the interproximal areas of the present subjects and, subsequently, decreased the proximal and overall caries indices.

Introduction: The use of probiotic bacteria is increasing worldwide and at least some of them can transiently colonize the oral cavity. Several studies have shown that probiotic bacteria, which are often thought of in relation only to intestinal health, can also affect the oral ecology, but the mechanisms for this are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro if the probiotic bacteria used in commercial products affect the protein composition of the salivary pellicle and the adherence of other oral bacteria. Methods: Salivary pellicle on hydroxyapatite and the adhesion of two oral streptococci, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus gordonii, were used as a model. Results: Probiotic bacteria that bound to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite reduced the adhesion of S. mutans but the inhibitory effect on the adherence of S. gordonii was weaker. Salivary pellicle protein composition was modified by all the strains tested. The modifications in the pellicle affected the adherence of S. mutans but not of S. gordonii. Two of the proteins missing from the pellicles made of saliva-treated with the probiotic bacteria were identified as salivary agglutinin gp340 and salivary peroxidase. All bacterial strains bound salivary agglutinin gp340. The ability of the probiotic bacteria to degrade peroxidase was demonstrated with purified bovine lactoperoxidase and two of the probiotic strains. Conclusion: This in vitro study showed that probiotic strains used in commercial products may affect the oral ecology by specifically preventing the adherence of other bacteria and by modifying the protein composition of the salivary pellicle.

Serum and salivary immunoglobulins and antibodies reactive with Streptococcus mutans were determined in 67 5-8-year-old children. The children of mothers whose caries incidence rates exceeded the median value had significantly more serum IgG antibodies to S. mutans than those with a lower maternal caries activity (p less than 0.05). The children (n = 14) who had been exposed to frequent maternal salivary close-contacts in their first year had significantly higher (p less than 0.05) serum total specific IgG antibodies but significantly lower (p less than 0.01) high-avidity IgG antibodies to S. mutans than the other children (n = 53) with less frequent close-contacts. The maternal caries incidence rates were significantly positively associated with children's dfs/DFS-indices (r = 0.41; p less than 0.001). However, the high maternal caries incidence did not increase the risk of caries in those children whose mothers' saliva contained high amounts of lactobacilli during the first nursing year, when compared with matched children with a low maternal level of lactobacilli. This was possibly due to the fact that the former children had significantly (p less than 0.05) more anti-S. mutans IgG antibodies in their sera than the latter.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among type 1 diabetes mellitus, dental caries, and salivary status in children. The study comprised 68, 10-15-yr-old diabetics, and 68, age- and gender-matched non-diabetic controls. Diabetics were categorized into well-to-moderately controlled (HbA1c9.0%) and poorly controlled (HbA1cor= 9.0%) groups. Caries was recorded by assessing lesion activity at non-cavitated and cavity levels. Teeth were examined visually for the presence of dental plaque. Saliva was analyzed for unstimulated and stimulated flow rates, buffer effect, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and yeasts. Diabetics had fewer caries and plaque, lower salivary flow rates and buffer effect, and more frequent growth of yeasts than their non-diabetic controls. Well-to-moderately controlled diabetics had fewer decayed surfaces and lower counts of mutans streptococci and yeasts than poorly controlled diabetics, but the level of metabolic control of diabetes had no influence on salivary flow rates and buffer effect. High caries levels in diabetics were significantly associated with age, plaque score, and decreased unstimulated salivary flow rate, but were not associated with the level of metabolic control of diabetes. High caries experience in this study population could be related to plaque accumulation and/or to changes in saliva induced by diabetes mellitus.

Background: Oral mucosal host defences are altered after anaesthesia and surgery. The effects of endotracheal intubation (ET) and the use of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) on oral mucosal host defences after minor surgery were compared. Methods: Immunological (immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG and IgM) and non-immunological (myeloperoxidase, total peroxidase, thiocyanate) oral host defence factors, and amylase and protein concentrations, were measured from saliva pre-operatively and on the first post-operative day in 60 ASA I–II patients undergoing minor surgery. The patients underwent general anaesthesia using oral ET or LMA. Spinal anaesthesia (S) was used as control. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations were determined. Results: Protein-related salivary secretion of amylase and salivary concentration of IgM showed the only statistically significant overall differences between the groups. By contrast, changes were observed within the ET group in the salivary flow rate, protein concentration, amylase activity and immunological host defence factors. Some changes were also observed in the LMA group, but none in the S group. Most non-immunological test values did not change within any of the groups. Conclusions: ET and LMA induced similar oral mucosal host defence responses. There were, however, observations in this study that indicated a stronger response during ET than when LMA was used.

The aim was to compare the effects of two sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)-containing toothpaste formulations with and without betaine on human oral mucosa in vivo. The results are compared with the effect of a dry mouth toothpaste without SLS. Twenty subjects participated in the double blind, crossover study. The toothpastes with 1.2% SLS, 1.2% SLS and 4% betaine and with 4% betaine but not with SLS were placed on buccal mucosa in a test chamber and kept in place for 15 min. The condition of the mucosa was studied both visually and using electrical impedance (EI) for up to 45 min. Both SLS-containing pastes had a similar, irritating effect on the mucosa as judged both by the appearance of the mucosa and the EI measurements. The dry mouth toothpaste (with betaine only) showed no significant irritation of the mucosa. Betaine did not reduce the mucosa-irritating effect of the SLS-containing toothpaste formulation. The surfactant-free toothpaste did thus not irritate the human oral mucosa in vivo while the SLS-containing pastes did.

Our aim was to evaluate whether betaine has a protective effect during exposure of the human oral mucosa in vivo to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or cocoamidopropylbetaine (CAPB) as measured with a multifrequency electrical impedance spectrometer (EI). Both detergents were used at the concentration of 2.0% w/v with and without 4.0% w/v betaine in distilled water in 20 volunteers, and 0.5% and 1.0% w/v SLS combined with 4.0% w/v betaine in 5 volunteers. EI measurements were taken before application of the test solutions, after their removal, and every 15 min up to 45 min. Both 0.5% and 1% SLS solutions showed a significant reduction in 3 of the 4 indices, indicating mucosal irritation after the 15-min exposure (P < 0.05), whereas 2% SLS did so in all 4 indices (P < 0.001). Betaine had no effect on the detergent-induced decline with either the 2% or the 0.5% SLS solutions. However, when combined with the 1% SLS solution, betaine significantly (P < 0.05) reduced mucosal irritation by abolishing decreases in indices MIX (magnitude index) and IMIX (imaginary part index) and lowering it for PIX (phase index). The 2% CAPB solution showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in all 4 indices after the 15-min exposure, but the effect was significantly weaker than that of 2% SLS (P < 0.05). Betaine did not reduce the irritating effect of 2% CAPB. These findings can be used in the development of less irritating products for oral health care.

Passive local immunization against dental caries is a promising approach to its prevention, as clinical evidence of active oral or nasal immunization is still limited and controversial. By means of systemic immunization of pregnant cows with a multivalent vaccine, high titres of IgG antibodies against human cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, were produced in bovine colostrum. The purified immune product (IP) of this preparation has a number of anticariogenic properties, such as inhibition of streptococcal adherence to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite and inhibition of glucosyltransferase enzymes. This study investigated whether IP antibodies remained active and functional when added to ultra-high temperature (UHT)-treated milk or to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-fermented milk stored for an extended time. LGG was chosen because of its widely known health benefits in humans and animals. A commercial UHT toddler's milk was supplemented with IP and stored for 2 months at 5, 21 and 30 degrees C. The antistreptococcal titres in UHT milk did not decline at any temperature during storage, and UHT-IP inhibited the adherence of S. mutans for up to 2 months. This was not the case with UHT toddler's milk without IgG antibodies. Milk was fermented with live LGG cells in the presence or absence of 5% IP. The antistreptococcal titres declined to about 30% of the original titres after storage. Fresh milk alone slightly enhanced streptococcal adhesion but fresh milk with IP inhibited the adherence of S. mutans by over 50%. LGG-positive fermented milk without antibodies also inhibited (P0.05) the adhesion by about 40%. In both LGG-fermented and UHT immune milk, the activity of antibodies against cariogenic streptococci was maintained during the expected shelf-life of these products. From the anticariogenic point of view it may be beneficial to add bovine-specific antibodies against mutans streptococci to probiotic LGG-containing milk products.

Immune whey product was obtained from Streptococcus mutans- and Streptococcus sobrinus-immunized cows. Hypothiocyanite (HOSCN/OSCN-) was generated in VMG-buffer, pH 5.5 or 6.5, by bovine milk lactoperoxidase, KSCN and hydrogen peroxide. The glucose incorporation by late-log cells of S. mutans 10449, serotype c, was followed by measuring the uptake of 14C-glucose at 37 degrees C. At pH 5.5 and 6.5 both immune whey product and HOSCN/OSCN- dose-dependently inhibited glucose uptake. The inhibition by their combination was additive if bacterial cells were treated with HOSCN/OSCN- before exposed to immune whey product. In contrast to immune whey product, the control product from sham-immunized cows increased the glucose uptake even when added simultaneously with HOSCN/OSCN-. However, when bacterial cells were pretreated with HOSCN/OSCN- an enhanced inhibitory effect was observed also with control product. The results indicate that colostral proteins from S. mutants- or S. sobrinus-immunized cows inhibit glucose uptake and that the effect is enhanced by pretreatment with lactoperoxidase-generated HOSCN/OSCN-.

Subjects with dry mouth often experience irritation of the oral mucosa when using sodium lauryl sulfate containing products for oral hygiene. Betaine, or trimethylglycine, reduces skin-irritating effects of ingredients of cosmetics such as sodium lauryl sulfate. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of a betaine-containing toothpaste with a regular toothpaste on the oral microbial flora, the condition of the oral mucosa, and subjective symptoms of dry mouth in subjects with chronic dry mouth symptoms. Thirteen subjects with chronic dry mouth symptoms and with a paraffin-stimulated salivary flow rate < or = 1 mL/min participated in the double-blind crossover study. Ten subjects had a very low salivary flow rate (< or = 0.6 mL/min). The subjects used both experimental toothpastes (with or without 4% betaine) twice a day for 2 weeks. Oral examinations and microbiologic sample collections were made at the base lines preceding the two experimental periods and at the end. Standardized questions on subjective symptoms of dry mouth were used when the subjects were interviewed at the end of the two experimental periods. No study-induced significant changes were observed in the microbiologic variables (plaque index, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, Candida species) or in the appearance of the oral mucosa. The use of the betaine-containing toothpaste was, however, associated with a significant relief of several subjective symptoms of dry mouth. Betaine appears thus to be a promising ingredient of toothpastes in general and especially of toothpastes designed for patients with dry mouth.

The separate and combined effects of peroxidase-generated hypothiocyanite (HOSCN/OSCN-) and F- ions on glucose uptake and growth of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 were investigated. S. mutans cells were grown to late exponential or stationary growth phase, harvested, washed and suspended in 2.0 ml of sterilized human whole saliva supplemented with 10 mM D-glucose. This saliva-bacteria mixture was supplemented with 5-150 microM H2O2 at pH 5.0 or 6.5. At pH 5.0, up to 103 +/- 21 microM HOSCN/OSCN- was generated. After 20 h of incubation at 37 degrees C, the saliva-bacteria suspension exposed to HOSCN/OSCN- were plated on mitis salivarius agar plates and incubated anaerobically for 2 days. Identical experiments were made with F- ions (0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 mM). Both HOSCN/OSCN- and F- caused a significant dose-dependent growth inhibition at pH 5.0, whereas no inhibition was observed at pH 6.5. When F- and HOSCN/OSCN- were added simultaneously at pH 5.0, an additive effect of growth inhibition was observed. In glucose incorporation experiments the bacteria-saliva mixture was exposed to 1 microM HOSCN/OSCN-, 0.5 mM F- or both. F-, HOSCN/OSCN- or their combination in sterilized whole saliva at pH 5.0 caused 14.2, 67.8 and 74.2% inhibition, respectively. These observations indicate that F- and HOSCN/OSCN- ions have an additive inhibitory effect on S. mutans and therefore their combination is likely to be more antibacterial than either agent alone.

Background: The immune response is affected by anaesthesia and surgery. This study was carried out on the effects of open heart surgery on the oral mucous host defence system, which is part of the common mucosal immune system. Methods: Amylase, nonimmunological (lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, hypothiocyanite and thiocyanate) and immunological (IgA, IgG, and IgM) mucous host defence factors as well as oral bacterial flora were determined in the saliva of 18 patients undergoing open heart surgery preoperatively and on the 2nd, 3rd, and 7th postoperative days. To assess the specificity of the changes, the salivary flow rate and total protein content were also determined. Results: Stimulated salivary flow decreased from 1.8 (1.3–2.2) ml/min (median; 25th and 75th quartiles) to 0.4 (0.3–0.5) ml/ min by the 2nd postoperative day and to 0.4 (0.2–1.0) ml/min by the 3rd postoperative day (P

This study evaluates the effects of two oral hygiene products containing nonimmunoglobulin antimicrobial agents on whole saliva and on subjective oral symptoms in patients with xerostomia. Twenty patients used a lactoperoxidase-system-containing toothpaste (Biotene) combined with the use of a mouthrinse (Biotene), comprising also lysozyme and lactoferrin, for 4 weeks. Saliva samples were collected at base line, after 4 weeks' use of the products, and at the end of a 4-week washout period. Samples were analyzed for selected biochemical and microbiologic factors. The effects on subjective oral symptoms were also recorded. A 4-week daily use of toothpaste and mouthrinse relieved the symptoms of oral dryness in 16 patients. The levels of salivary hypothiocyanite, lysozyme, lactoferrin, or myeloperoxidase activity did not change, but there was a significant decrease in salivary pH (P0.05), total peroxidase activity (P0.05), and total protein content (P = 0.01). In patients with the lowest salivary flow rates (n = 5) a significant (Por = 0.04) increase was detected in salivary hypothiocyanite concentrations. No major changes occurred in salivary microflora. The products relieved subjective oral symptoms in most xerostomic patients, but this was not necessarily related to the presence of antimicrobial agents.

In order to study the role of tonsils in the host defense in the oral region one pre- and two postoperative (1 and 6 months) whole saliva samples were collected from 25 young adults referred for tonsillectomy. Saliva samples were analyzed for selected host defense factors, representing both immune (total IgA, IgG, IgM, anti-Streptococcus mutans,anti-EBV, anti-CMV, and anti-adenovirus IgA and IgG) and nonimmunoglobulin (lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidases, thiocyanate, hypothiocyanite, and agglutinins) mediators. Following tonsillectomy, a significant (P< 0.04) reduction was observed in specific IgG antibodies, suggesting that tonsils participate in local IgG response to oral antigens. Total IgM levels also decreased (P< 0.006), which may to some extent reflect reduced antigenic stimuli compared to preoperative status with frequent tonsillitis. Saliva-derived nonimmunoglobulin host defense factors, except lactoferrin, which declined significantly, remained normal through- out the study period. Our study indicates that tonsils play a role in local oral IgG-mediated immune response but tonsillectomy does not seem to lead to any significant long-term impairment of salivary defense capacity.

The relationship between diet and dental caries in a Tanzanian population was studied. Mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, yeasts, salivary flow rate as well as buffer effect were also analyzed. A random sample of 12-, 35-44- and 65- to 74- year olds was drawn from Msongola (rural) and Ukombozi (urban), Dar-es-Salaam. The mean of two 24-h recalls was used for the assessment of food intake. The percentage of those with at least one carious tooth ranged from 30% in the 12-year-olds to 80% in the oldest age group. The mean number of decayed teeth (DT) increased significantly with age (P = 0.000) but was not significantly associated with the area of residence. DT increased significantly (P = 0.048) with the number of snacks per day and was also associated with dietary sucrose (P = 0.025), total carbohydrates (P = 0.002) and fiber (P = 0.002). Among salivary variables lactobacilli (P = 0.000) correlated positively with DT. Our study did not reveal any strong association between total energy intake and dental caries in rural or urban populations in Tanzania but snacking and sucrose intake were significantly associated with caries, in particular in the urban area.

Antimicrobial resistance is more widespread than can be accounted for as being a consequence of the selection pressure caused by the use of antibiotics alone. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a high mercury content in feces might select for mercury-resistant bacteria and thus for antimicrobial resistance linked to mercury resistance. Three subject groups with different exposures to dental amalgam fillings were compared. None of the subjects had taken antimicrobial agents during the three preceding months or longer. The group exposed to dental amalgam (n = 92) had 13 times more mercury in feces than the group that had never been exposed to amalgam (n = 43) and the group whose amalgam fillings had been removed (n = 56). No significant differences in either mercury resistance or antibiotic resistance in the fecal aerobic gram-negative flora of these subject groups were seen. The following antimicrobial resistance frequencies were detected with a replica plating method: > or = 1% resistance was seen in 40% of the subjects for ampicillin, 14% of the subjects for cefuroxime, 6% of the subjects for nalidixic acid, 14% of the subjects for trimethoprim, 19% of the subjects for sulfamethoxazole, and 25% of the subjects for tetracycline. The amount of mercury in feces derived from amalgam was not selective for any resistance factors in aerobic gram-negative bacteria, but antimicrobial resistance was widespread even among healthy subjects with no recent exposure to antibiotics.

The effects of a lactoperoxidase-system-containing toothpaste. Biotene, on saliva and dental plaque were studied. In a double-blind crossover study 20 healthy volunteers used an experimental (comprising the complete peroxidase system) or a placebo (without lactoperoxidase, KSCN, and glucose oxidase) toothpaste twice daily for 2 weeks separated by a 2-week washout period. At base lines and at the end of both test periods saliva and plaque samples were collected, and plaque pH changes were monitored. Saliva was analyzed for hypothiocyanite (HOSCN/OSCN-) and thiocyanate (SCN-) concentrations and salivary peroxidase activity. The amount of total streptococci, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and total anaerobic flora was determined both in saliva and in plaque samples. The accumulation and the acidogenicity of plaque were also quantitated. A 2-week daily use of Biotene had no effect on salivary flow rate, peroxidase activity, HOSCN/OSCN-, SCN-, or any of the monitored bacterial counts compared with the placebo toothpaste. The accumulation of dental plaque was not affected by the lactoperoxidase-system-containing toothpaste. The acidogenicity of plaque did not change significantly, nor did the two test dentifrices differ in their ability to inhibit the plaque pH drop caused by sucrose in subjects with normal salivary flow rate.

Studies of oral health in patients with common variable immunodeficiency have given controversial results. Obviously, one major factor modifying the oral health of these patients is saliva, in which the antibody-mediated defense is remarkably impaired compared to that of healthy subjects. However, the occurrence of nonimmunoglobulin (innate) antimicrobial agents in saliva of these patients is virtually unknown. Therefore, we analyzed both immune (total IgA, IgG, IgM, anti-Streptococcus mutans IgA, IgG, and IgM antibodies) and nonimmune (lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, hypothiocyanite, thiocyanate, and agglutinins) factors in whole saliva of 15 patients with common variable immunodeficiency. All patients were on Ig-replacement therapy (median duration, 10 years; range, 2–25 years), which had normalized their IgG but not their IgA or IgM levels both in serum and in saliva. Also, comprehensive clinical and microbiological analyses were made. The control group comprised 15 age- and sex-matched immunologically healthy subjects. The results showed no notable differences in dental caries, periodontal diseases, or salivary microorganisms but the patients had a history of more frequent oral mucosal lesions and respiratory infections. All innate, nonimmune salivary defense factors were equally abundant in the patients as in the controls, in many cases even at somewhat higher concentrations. These findings suggest that in spite of immunodeficiency, patients with common variable immunodeficiency display normal, perhaps even slightly elevated, levels of nonimmunoglobulin defense factors in whole saliva. This may partly prevent the expected enhanced susceptibility to infectious diseases in the mouths of these patients.

The association of flow rate and biochemical and microbiological characteristics of saliva with diet was studied in 83 12-year-old children and in 127 adults (84 in the age group 35-44 years, 43 in the age group 65-74 years) living in rural and urban communities in Tanzania. No significant differences were observed between the salivary flow rates of the rural and urban subjects. The mean salivary flow rates were slightly lower in women than in men and significantly lower in the 12-year-old children than in the two older age groups (p < 0.05). The buffer effect was higher in the rural than the urban population. Further, it was lower in women than in men (p < 0.001). Salivary protein, IgG, and sialic acid concentrations were significantly higher in the rural than in the urban population, whereas amylase activity and IgA concentrations were lower. Microbiological studies showed mutans streptococci in 97% of the rural and in 91% of the urban subjects (n.s.). Lactobacilli grew significantly less often in the rural than urban samples (p < 0.01). Analyses of 24-hour dietary recalls showed that the rural and urban diets differed. The proteins in the rural diet were largely of plant origin, while in the urban diet animal proteins dominated. The rural diet contained also less sucrose but more fibre (mainly from grain) than the urban diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We have studied the possible relationship between indigenous salivary antimicrobial agents, indigenous mutans streptococci and the capability of added mutans streptococci to grow in saliva. Stimulated whole saliva was collected from 19 healthy donors. Saliva samples were sterilized, supplemented with glucose and inoculated with Streptococcus mutans or Streptococcus sobrinus. The mixtures were incubated for 20 h followed by counting of viable cells. Saliva samples were analysed, both before and after sterilization, for indigenous antimicrobial agents and the bacterial flora. The subjects could be divided into two groups: those (n = 9) whose saliva promoted and those (n = 10) whose saliva inhibited the growth of the inoculated streptococci. A statistically significant correlation (+0.82, p0.001) was found between the numbers of viable cells of S. mutans and S. sobrinus after incubation in saliva. The sterilization procedure reduced the content of all antimicrobial proteins. Salivary antimicrobial factors, or levels of indigenous mutans streptococci, did not differ between the two groups. We conclude that none of the individual salivary antimicrobial factors alone can explain the large individual differences in growth-promoting or growth-inhibiting patterns of saliva on S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Inter-individually, saliva either supports or inhibits the growth of mutans streptococci, indicating a similar response of these two species in relation to the properties of saliva.

In a longitudinal 3-year study, 151 children were followed for the colonization of the primary dentition by mutans streptococci (MS) and for the development of dental caries. At the age of 1 year, the child-mother pairs were divided into three groups on the basis of the levels of MS in maternal saliva. In the experimental group, the mothers had MS levels higher than 10(5) CFU/ml, and they were given chlorhexidine (1%)-sodium fluoride (0.2%) gel treatments twice a year for 3 years. Two control groups were formed. In control group 1, the mothers also had high levels of MS, but no gel was given. In control group 2, the mothers had low (10(5) CFU/ml) baseline levels of salivary MS, and no chlorhexidine-fluoride gel was used. In the total study population, 16, 42, and 54% of the children were colonized by MS by the age of 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. Most children harbored only Streptococcus mutans, but 2 had both S. mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, and 2 had only S. sobrinus. Twenty-eight percent of the MS-positive children developed caries by the age of 4 years, whereas 4 out of 27 children with dental caries did not have any detectable MS in their plaque samples. Both the colonization by MS and the caries incidence were highest in control group 1 and lower in the experimental group and in control group 2. These observations suggest that the reduction of maternal salivary MS at the time of tooth emergence may delay, or perhaps even prevent, the colonization of MS in the children's primary dentition with a concomitant decline in caries incidence, even in a population with an already low prevalence of dental caries.

The composition and flow rate of paraffin-stimulated whole saliva were analysed in 22 women, of whom 11 used oral contraceptives and 11 did not. Ten men served as the controls. The salivary samples were collected during one month (oral contraceptive users and men), or during one menstrual cycle (non-users). The saliva analyses included flow rate, pH, buffer effect, sialic acid, thiocyanate, peroxidase, lysozyme, amylase, immunoglobulins A, G and M, total protein, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, yeasts and total numbers of aerobic bacteria. The salivary buffer effect of oral contraceptive users was significantly (p less than 0.005) higher than that of non-users. All the other constituents showed intra- and interindividual variation in all groups, but with no apparent hormone-dependency.The flow rate and composition of whole saliva were analyzed in 11 women using low dose oral contraceptives in comparison with 11 menstruating women and 10 men. Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva samples were collected Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for 1 cycle or 1 month in all subjects, checked for pH and buffer effect (Dentobuff method, Orion Diagnostics, Espoo, Finland, a measure of bicarbonate content) immediately, and frozen for later assay of salivary lysozyme, amylase, peroxidase, thiocyanate, sialic acid, total protein, IgA, IgG, IgM, Mutans streptococci, Lactobacilli, yeasts and aerobic bacteria. The oral contraceptives taken were Marvelon (Organon, Holland) by 4 subjects, Microgynon (Leiras, Finland) by 1, and Trikvilar (Leiras) by 6. The only significant differences between subject groups of cycle phases was a higher salivary buffer effect in oral contraceptive users than that seen in non-users, who resembled male controls. There was a wide individual variation in most values, but less variation in pH and buffer effect. Salivary buffer effect, which is correlated with HCO3-content and salivary flow, is also higher in late pregnancy.

The local, saliva-associated defense mechanisms of 28 juvenile periodontitis (JP) patients and their age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, and thiocyanate concentrations were determined from both whole saliva and parotid saliva. The total concentrations of salivary IgA, IgG, and IgM were assayed. The periodontal condition and the salivary flow rates were registered. Among the JP patients, a significantly elevated concentration of IgG was found in parotid saliva but not in whole saliva. Salivary peroxidase activities were significantly low both in the whole and in the parotid saliva samples of the JP patients, and leukocyte-derived myeloperoxidase was present in significantly low amounts in whole saliva of these patients. Because both glandular (salivary peroxidase) and polymorphonuclear-cell-derived (myeloperoxidase) enzyme activities were low among the JP patients, suppressed peroxidase-mediated host defense mechanisms could be characteristic of JP.

We analyzed the radiation-induced changes in the flow rate and protein composition of stimulated whole saliva in eleven patients treated for malignant conditions of the head and neck. In all patients the radiation field covered all major salivary glands and a large area of the oral mucosa. Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva samples were collected once 2 to 21 days before therapy and then after 20, 40, and 60 gray (Gy) cumulative dose of irradiation. Five patients also provided samples 6 months after the therapy. Hyposalivation or xerostomia occurred in all patients, although the pretreatment secretion rates were already relatively low. Salivary amylase activities decreased with increasing dose of radiation, especially when expressed as the amount of enzyme secreted per minute. Unusually high salivary concentrations of albumin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, salivary peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, and total protein were observed during the therapy, but most values slowly returned to pretreatment levels after cessation of radiation. It is concluded that the observed qualitative changes in whole saliva components are net effects caused by the cancer itself, radiation therapy given, systemic diseases, or medications, as well as mucosal inflammations.

Oral health, the amount of salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli, and the flow rate, pH and buffer capacity of paraffin-stimulated whole saliva were analyzed in 35 adult diabetic patients and their age- and sex-matched non-diabetic, clinically healthy controls. All patients had insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) with a mean (+/- SD) duration of 14.0 +/- 9.1 yr. The prevalence of dental caries was as high in the diabetic group as in the controls but the past caries experience was remarkably lower in those individuals whose diabetes had started at a very early age (less than or equal to 7 yr). In agreement with the clinical data, the salivary levels of cariogenic microorganisms were of the same order of magnitude in both study groups. However, the relative proportion of S. mutans from the total cultivable aerobic microflora was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in diabetics compared to the controls. The other studied salivary parameters did not differ between the groups. Remarkable individual differences were observed in the correlation between glucose levels of blood and whole saliva among diabetics. In spite of the noncariogenic dietary habits, the adult diabetic patients seem to be at least as susceptible to dental caries as non-diabetics, probably due to the leakage of glucose from blood into the oral cavity.

An investigation was made of the effects on some biochemical characteristics of human whole saliva and dental plaque resulting from the daily consumption of three commercial, acid-containing beverages. The beverages tested were a cola beverage ("Coca-Cola"), a carbonated orange drink ("Jaffa") and single strength orange juice. Each of the three test beverages as well as non-fluoridated tap water as a control, were consumed during four two-week periods. The test group consisted of 39 dental students. The mean consumption frequency lay in the range from 5.3 to 5.7 times per day. Orange juice was found to stimulate the salivary secretion rate most. All test drinks decreased the salivary pH immediately after consumption, but the pH did not generally drotase-like activity in oral fluid. Changes were observed in calcium, phosphate and fluoride concentrations in oral fluid samples, but these were due to variations in salivary secretion rate. A significant decrease in redox potentials of whole saliva was, however, observed after consumption of the drinks. The present results indicate that in healthy persons with normal saliva flow rate and buffer capacity the moderate consumption of acidic beverages failed to induce any remarkable caries-promoting changes in oral cavity. However, in persons with low salivary flow rate erosion may be a consequence of regular consumption.

Plaque formed during a 5-day xylitol or sucrose chewing gum diet was used as an irritating agent in bone and macrophage culture. The release of hydrolytic enzymes was monitored. The contents of protein, DNA, and ATP were analyzed, to characterize plaque formed during different dietary periods. The release of glycosidases and phosphatases was lower in the presence of xylitol plaque when compared with sucrose plaque as an immediate reaction in macrophage cultures at 3 h and also in bone cultures at 3 days. The results indicate that xylitol plaque had a less irritating effect on macrophages and bones in vitro than sucrose plaque according to the parameters used in this study.

Whole saliva samples of volunteers who ate a strict diet for two years with regard to the type of sweeteners used (sucrose, fructose, and xylitol) showed considerable differences in the lactoperoxidase activity. The consumption of a xylitol diet increased the activity of this enzyme fourfold to tenfold when compared to the other two test groups. Lactoperoxidase belongs to the natural defense mechanisms of the oral cavity. However, the consumption of a xylitol diet also leads to a strong reduction in the incidence of dental caries. It is suggested that the xylitol-induced elevation of the salivary lactoperoxidase activity and the cariostatic properties of xylitol are partly interrelated phenomena.

Lactoperoxidase (LPO) belongs to the innate defence factors in human milk, saliva and tears. LPO is readily bound by bacterial cells and the bound enzyme preserves its antimicrobial activity. The properties of immobilized and soluble LPO were compared. LPO was covalently coupled to both CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B (aga-S4B) and Concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B (Con A-S4B). Immobilized LPOs were much more stable than soluble LPO both during storage at 4 °C and during heat inactivation at 60 °C. In guaiacol oxidation, K m values were two times higher for ConA-S4B than for aga-S4B and soluble LPO. In iodide oxidation, K m values for aga-S4B were 2.5 times lower than for ConA-S4B and soluble LPO. No difference was found in pH optimum between immobilized and soluble LPOs. Immobilized LPOs were less sensitive to cyanide inhibition than free LPO. Thus, solid LPO is more resistant to external factors than soluble LPO. The binding of LPO may be a favourable reaction considering its stability also in vivo .

Flow rate, pH, buffer capacity, viscosity, sialic acid, selected proteins (amylase, lysozyme, peroxidase, lactoferrin) and anions (thiocyanate, hypothiocyanite) were analysed in paraffin-stimulated whole saliva of 16 women during the three trimesters of pregnancy and post partum. Salivary pH and buffer capacity decreased towards late pregnancy, followed by a rapid and significant (p less than 0.01) increase after delivery. The specific activity of salivary peroxidase increased significantly (p less than 0.05) during the third trimester, thus supporting the concept of oestrogen-dependency of this enzyme. None of the other parameters changed significantly during pregnancy or lactation. The results suggest that the composition of human saliva is influenced by female sex steroids during pregnancy.

– Neither iodinated proteins nor iodinated. low-molecular weight compounds (e.g. iodinated tyrosine derivatives) could be detected in concentrated human salivary supernatant by using the Ce(SO4)2-method either directly or after thin-layer chromatography. Salivary sediment contained free 1− ions, loosely bound iodine (released with saline) and strongly bound iodine (released with sonication, detergent and acid hydrolysis). A positive correlation between salivary and crevicuiar excretion of l− from plasma was observed. Thiocyanate ions, which competitively inhibit peroxidase-catalysed oxidation and iodination reactions and which are abundant in human saliva, possibly prevent the coupling of l− to protein in vivo although some human salivary proteins are very susceptible to iodination in vitro.

We analyzed the flow rate and composition of paraffin-stimulated whole saliva samples from 35 adult diabetic patients and their age- and sex-matched, non-diabetic, clinically healthy controls. All patients had insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) with a mean (± S.D.) duration of 14.0 ± 9.1 years. The saliva analysis included the quantitation of total protein, amylase, immunoglobulins (isotypes A, G, and M), and the non-antibody, innate antimicrobial factors (lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, thiocyanate, and hypothiocyanite). The whole saliva samples from diabetic patients had significantly higher amounts of IgA (p < 0.001) and IgG (p < 0.05) than did the controls. No differences between the study groups were observed in flow rate, protein content, amylase activity, or IgM. The levels of innate defense factors were similar in both study groups except for salivary peroxidase, which was higher (p < 0.02) among diabetics than among controls. Our results indicate that the antimicrobial defense capacity of whole saliva is not impaired in diabetic patients.

Considerable variation in many salivary components was observed during the menstrual cycles of 12 women. Whole saliva peroxidase activity increased significantly during the preovulatory period; the highest activity was measured 3.8 ± 2.4 days before ovulation. The increase of activity tended to coincide with the increase in serum estrogen level. Large cyclic variation without any clear tendency occurred in salivary α-amylase and sialic acid concentrations; minor cyclic variations were found in thiocyanate, calcium, potassium, and protein. None of the measured compounds proved to be a reliable marker for ovulation. From a clinicochemical point of view, the remarkable cyclic variation is important to know because whole saliva is frequently used as a diagnostic aid in the treatment of oral diseases.