Dental Caries Related to Plasma IgG and Alpha₁-Acid Glycoprotein

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining whether dental caries is associated with induction of the systemic immune system or cytokine response. For this purpose, 85 children from Den Pasar, Bali, Indonesia, aged 6–7 years, were examined clinically and blood plasma was obtained via finger puncture. The concentrations of the acute-phase protein α₁-acid glycoprotein (AGP), total IgG and the specific IgG and IgM immunoglobulins against Streptococcus mutans were determined. Immunoelectrophoresis was used for the determination of the AGP concentration and ELISA for IgG and IgM detection. The mean dmft of the whole group was 8.8 ± 2.9, the mean number of infected pulps was 3.9 ± 2.2 and the mean number of abscesses was 0.5 ± 0.8. The plasma concentration of AGP ranged between 0.13 and 1.6 mg/ml serum (mean 0.86 ± 0.26 mg/ml). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the concentration of IgG against S. mutans (log-transformed) was significantly correlated with dmft (adjusted r² = 0.083, standardized β coefficient = 0.31, p = 0.008). When the concentration AGP was included in the model the correlation improved significantly (for IgG: adjusted r² = 0.157, standardised β coefficient = 0.36, p = 0.002; for AGP: β coefficient = –0.30, p = 0.009). The results suggest a relationship between caries and systemic parameters of inflammation. On the basis of this, severe caries might have consequences on the general health of the subject.

Salivary proteins as biomarkers in dental caries: In vivo study

“…Similar result were observed by Gabryel-Porowska et al, (2014) were role of specific mucin like MUC5B, MUC7 and MUC1 in saliva of children's was compared with dental caries. They showed the role of membrane bound MUC1 and gel forming MUC 5B, which would strengthen epithelial protective barrier and stabilizes mucin in oral cavity for longtime [29][30][31][32].…”

Host and Microbiological Factors Related to Dental Caries Development

“…The reason for measuring AGP and CRP was the previous observation where we found a relationship between the acute-phase protein AGP and caries in caries-active children in Indonesia [de Soet et al, 2003]. This was found in a population with a high proportion of dental caries (mean dmft at 6 years 8.8 8 1.9).…”

“…A power analyses showed that 69 children per group were needed to determine a significant clinical effect [Van Gemert-Schriks et al, 2008]. Based on an earlier study on AGP in Indonesian children, this group size is large enough to detect differences in acute-phase proteins, when applicable [de Soet et al, 2003]. The participating schools were selected from the database of the Medical Mission.…”

“…Blood was collected in a capillary tube, coated with heparin and cells were separated from serum by gravitation for 2 h. The tubes were kept frozen (-20 ° C) and transported on dry ice to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The concentration of AGP was determined as described previously [de Soet et al, 2003]. The concentration of CRP was determined by an immunometric assay using the Immulite system (Diagnostic Products Corp., Holliston, Mass., USA).…”

“…It has been suggested that tooth decay in the primary dentition may lead to growth retardation, which may be explained by reduced food intake due to rampant caries [Ayhan et al, 1996; Acs and Ng, 2002;Thomas and Primosch, 2002]. An association between the acute phase protein alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) in young Indonesian children has been reported [de Soet et al, 2003]. This obser-…”