Influence of lead on the cariostatic effect of fluoride co-crystallized with sucrose in desalivated rats.
OBJECTIVE
Results from previous studies have shown that pre- and perinatal exposure to lead enhances susceptibility of rats to development of dental caries. A possible explanation for this phenomenon may be that lead complexes with fluoride and renders F insoluble and unable to exert its cariostatic effects.


METHODS
Thus, to explore this hypothesis, 48 desalivated Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in a König-Höfer programmed feeder and received 17 meals of powdered sucrose daily, and water ad libitum as follows: group (1) plain sucrose and sterile distilled water (SDW); (2) sucrose containing 15 ppm F and SDW; (3) sucrose containing 15 ppm F and 10 ppm Pb water; (4) sucrose containing 15 ppm F and 25 ppm Pb water.


RESULTS
The highest smooth-surface, sulcal surface caries and severity scores were observed in group I. Animals that were exposed to fluoride showed reduced smooth-surface caries and severity scores. S. sobrinus counts did not differ among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Lead did not interfere with the protective effect of fluoride in the conditions of the present study.
Tabchoury
C M
CM
Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester, NY 14642-8611, USA.
Pearson
S K
SK
Bowen
W H
WH
D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007854:Lead / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012463:Saliva / Q000502:physiology; D013395:Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; C077765:lead fluoride; D007854:Lead; D013395:Sucrose; D005459:Fluorides