Effect of a dentifrice containing the peptide of streptococcal antigen I/II on the adherence of mutans streptococcus
Accepted 12 August 2009.
Abstract
Objective
Antigen I/II of mutans streptococcus (MS) is a surface protein, which binds to salivary receptors. The objective of this study was to study the effect of a peptide corresponding to residues 1025–1044 of antigen I/II and a dentifrice containing peptide on the adherence of MS.
Methods
The peptide was synthesized and included into dentifrice. Anti-adherence experiments of the peptide and a dentifrice containing it were processed in vitro and in vivo.
Results
The results showed that the adherence of MS to hydroxyapatite was inhibited by synthetic antigen I/II peptide and also by a dentifrice containing the peptide in vitro. The numbers of MS in plaque from subjects treated with dentifrices containing the peptide for 1 month was significantly reduced compared to baseline (log3.11±0.80 vs log4.09±0.90, P<0.01), whereas the control group showed no reduction.
Conclusion
The adherence of MS to hydroxyapatite was inhibited by both a synthetic peptide and a dentifrice containing the peptide. The peptide dentifrice produced a significant reduction of MS in dental plaque in vivo.
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Ninth People's Hospital, Medical College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, PR China