Protective effect of salivary nitrate and microbial nitrate reductase activity against caries.
To test the hypothesis that a combination of high salivary nitrate and high nitrate-reducing capacity are protective against dental caries, 209 children attending the Dental Institute, Barts and The London NHS Trust were examined. Salivary nitrate and nitrite levels, counts of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp., and caries experience were recorded. Compared with control subjects, a significant reduction in caries experience was found in patients with high salivary nitrate and high nitrate-reducing ability. Production of nitrite from salivary nitrate by commensal nitrate-reducing bacteria may limit the growth of cariogenic bacteria as a result of the production of antimicrobial oxides of nitrogen, including nitric oxide.
Oral Microbiology Unit, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
J J
JJ
Doel
M P
MP
Hector
C V
CV
Amirtham
L A
LA
Al-Anzan
N
N
Benjamin
R P
RP
Allaker
D000293:Adolescent; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D050901:Nitrate Reductase; D009565:Nitrate Reductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000254:growth & development*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009565:Nitrate Reductases; D050901:Nitrate Reductase