A sulphated glycopeptide in human supragingival calculus extracts

Glycosaminoglycans in human salivary-duct stones

These were demonstrated using histochemical and biochemical techniques. The presence of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate was confirmed by enzymic digestion. These substances may arise from inflammation in peri-ductal tissue.

Structural studies on a sulphated glycoprotein preparation isolated from human saliva

The identity of the sulphated component in a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein preparation (GP) from human whole saliva was investigated. A t0.5 of 96 min for inorganic sulphate release in 0.25 M HCl indicated the presence of O-substituted sulphate, probably associated with hydroxyl groups of sugar residues. This possible association of ester was also inferred from infra-red data of the intact GP, where major absorption bands were detected at 1230-1250 and 828 cm-1. Further a sulphated-monosaccharide derivative was released during acid hydrolysis in 0.1 M HCl at 100 degrees C for 75 min and isolated by gel-filtration on Sephadex G-15. This derivative was separated from a range of non-sulphated sugars by thin-layer chromatography in various solvent systems and possessed the chromatographic characteristics of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-O-sulphate.

Interaction between sulphated macromolecules and hydroxyapatite studied by infrared spectroscopy

Transmission infrared spectroscopy has been used to study some aspects of the mechanism of binding of chondroitin-4-sulphate to hydroxyapatite. The disappearance of absorption maxima characteristic of the covalently bound sulphate groups indicates that these groups may be involved in bridging the chondroitin sulphate molecule to the crystal lattice of the hydroxyapatite. The technique may be valuable, both in studying the formation of organic films on tooth surfaces and the mechanisms of endogenous mineralisation.

Interaction of acid glycosaminoglycans (mucopolysaccharides) with hydroxyapatite

Selected acidic glycosaminoglycans (GAG) have been used as a model series to study some binding properties of hydroxyapatite. The order of binding was heparin, heparin sulfate, dermatan sulfage/chondroitin-4-sulfate/chondroitin-6-sulfate (all similar) and hyaluronic acid, indicating that the negative charge on the molecules is a major determinant in the binding process. Both calcium and saliva pretreatment led to an increase in uptake of selected GAG whereas fluoride even at 1 and 3 parts/106 levels led to a graded reduction in uptake. The clinical significance of these findings may be related to the presence of certain GAG in the dental integuments and to the interaction of a chemically defined group of compounds at a specific solid surface. Such findings may also have an application in studies on endogenous mineralization. The results are in accord with the generally held view that polyanions may interact electrostatically with calcium sites present in the crystal lattice of the hydroxyapatite.

Possible origin of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in human dental calculus

The sulfated glycosaminoglycans present in human dental calculus have been shown to be dermatan sulfate and chondroitin-4-sulfate. The composition suggests that the glycosaminoglycans present in calculus, particularly subgingival material, could originate as a result of associated periodontal disease since closely similar compounds have previously been identified in normal and inflamed human gingiva.