Proteomic profile of the acquired enamel pellicle of professional wine tasters with erosive tooth wear

Acquired enamel pellicle protects gastroesophageal reflux disease patients against erosive tooth wear

The objective of this study was to compare the protein profile of the acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) formed in vivo in patients with or without gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and with or without erosive tooth wear (ETW). Twenty-four volunteers were divided into 3 groups: 1) GERD and ETW; 2) GERD without ETW; and 3) control (without GERD). The AEP formed 120 min after prophylaxis was collected from the lingual/palatal surfaces. The samples were subjected to mass spectrometry (nLC-ESI-MS/MS) and label-free quantification by Protein Lynx Global Service software. A total of 213 proteins were identified, or 119, 92 and 106 from each group, respectively. Group 2 showed a high number of phosphorylated and calcium-binding proteins. Twenty-three proteins were found in all the groups, including 14-3-3 protein zeta/delta and 1-phosphatidylinositol. Several intracellular proteins that join saliva after the exfoliation of oral mucosa cells might have the potential to bind hydroxyapatite, or participate in forming supramolecular aggregates that bind to precursor proteins in the AEP. Proteins might play a central role in protecting the dental surface against acid dissolution.

Proteomic profile of the acquired enamel pellicle of children with early childhood caries and caries-free children

Acquired enamel pellicle plays an important role in the pathogenesis of early childhood caries (ECC), working as a protective interface between the tooth and the oral cavity. The aim of this cross-sectional in vivo proteomic study was to compare the acquired enamel pellicle protein profile of 3-5-year-old children with ECC (n = 10) and caries-free children (n = 10). Acquired enamel pellicle samples were collected and processed for proteomic analysis (nLC-ESI-MS/MS). In total, 241 proteins were identified. Basic salivary proline-rich protein 1 and 2, Cystatin-B, and SA were found only in the caries free group. When comparing caries free and ECC groups, lower protein levels were found in the caries free group for hemoglobin subunit beta, delta, epsilon, gamma-2, globin domain-containing protein and gamma-1, neutrophil defensin 3, serum albumin, protein S100-A8, and S100-A9. The proteins histatin-1, statherin, salivary acidic proline-rich phosphoprotein ½, proline-rich protein 4, submaxillary gland androgen-regulated protein 3B, alpha-amylase 1 and 2B were found at higher levels in the caries free group. The exclusive and the proteins found at higher levels in the caries free group might have protective functions that play a role in the prevention of caries, besides providing important insights to be evaluated in future studies for the possible development of new therapeutic strategies for ECC.

New insights into the protective effect of statherin-derived peptide for different acquired enamel pellicle formation times on the native human enamel surfaces

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the protective impact of acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) engineering with statherin-derived peptide (StatpSpS), considering different AEP formation times.

DESIGN

A total of 120 native human enamel specimens were divided into 2 main groups: 1) No AEP engineering and 2) AEP engineering with StatpSpS (pretreatment for 1 min; 37 °C, under agitation). Each group was further divided into 4 subgroups: No pellicle, or 1, 60-and-120 min AEP formation times (human saliva; 37 °C). The specimens were then subjected to an erosive challenge (1% citric acid; pH 3.6; 1 min; 25 °C). This procedure was repeated for 5 cycles. Relative surface reflection intensity (%SRI) was measured and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the enamel surface was done.

RESULTS

All AEP engineering groups protected against initial dental erosion in comparison with No pellicle (p < 0.001), likewise all groups with AEP, independent of engineering or formation times (p 0.001). Furthermore, engineering with StatpSpS even without the presence of AEP protected the enamel when compared to the No engineering/No pellicle group (p < 0.0001). No difference was observed regarding the protection from the different AEP formation times (p > 0.05). Regarding the SEM analysis, in the "No AEP engineering & No AEP" group, a more severe effect of citric acid was observed, with more enamel prism heads and scratches on the surface when compared with the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

AEP provides almost instant protection at formation times even as short as 1 min, protecting the native enamel against erosion. Treatment with StatpSpS by itself provides similar protection as the AEP.

Relationship between erosive tooth wear and possible etiological factors among dental students

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between erosive tooth wear (ETW) and possible etiological factors in a group of dental students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 126 dental students from a public dental school were included in this study. A questionnaire was used to investigate the possible etiological factors related to ETW. The Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) criteria were used to examine the status of ETW. A univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the presence of ETW and explanatory variables.

RESULTS

Univariable analysis revealed that taking acidic foods and alcohol more than 4-5 times per week increases the odds of ETW by 6.043 and 2.532 times, respectively, and taking dairy products, fruit juice, and milk more than 4-5 times per week decreases the likelihood of ETW by 61%, 66%, and 80%, respectively. The results of multivariable regression analysis showed that the frequency of consumption of especially acidic foods significantly increased the risk of ETW (OR = 9.981, 95% CI 3.577-27.849, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the ETW status of dental students, who are the future dentists, varies depending on different possible etiological factors, especially the consumption of acidic foods has increased the risk of ETW approximately 10 times.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The findings highlight the high relevance of ETW, especially with acidic food consumption, and the importance of controlling potential etiological factors in dental students.