The effect of xylitol on plaque metabolism.
Evidence is presented which shows that Strep. mitior and Strep. mutans (which are unable to metabolize xylitol) take yp xylitol and transfer it to xylitol phosphate. Dental plaque also takes up xylitol. In this case a xylitol/protein complex is formed in addition to xylitol phosphate and also some labelled components yet to be identified. It is suggested that accumulation of xylitol phosphate inside the cells may "poison" the bacteria and possibly explain the caries therapeutic effect of xylitol observed in some laboratories.
D000143:Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014993:Xylitol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000143:Acids; D014993:Xylitol