Effect of pepsin on erosive tissue loss and the efficacy of fluoridation measures in dentine in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
In dentine, erosive lesion progression and efficacy of fluoridation measures for symptomatic therapy of dental erosion are both dependent on the presence of the organic matrix. In patients with eating disorders in combination with chronic vomiting, the demineralized organic matrix can be degraded by gastric enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pepsin on erosion progression and the efficacy of fluoride in dentine.


METHODS
Human dentine specimens were prepared and randomly divided into 4 groups of 20 specimens each. They were subjected to a cyclic de- and remineralization procedure for 9 days. For demineralization (6 x 2 min per day), an HCl solution (pH 1.6) was used in all groups. In two groups, pepsin (1.5 mg mL(-1)) was added to the demineralization solution. Fluoridation was performed in two groups 6 x 1 min per day with a mouth rinse (Olaflur/SnF(2); 250 ppm F(-)) after demineralization with both the HCl solution and the pepsin containing solution. Degradation of collagen was quantified by analyzing hydroxyproline and tissue loss was determined microradiographically. SEM images were taken in addition.


RESULTS
In the pepsin group, 1.72 (0.26) microg mL(-1) (mean (SD)) hydroxyproline per day was detected, and in the pepsin-fluoride group 1.95 (0.50) microg mL(-1). Tissue loss after 9 days in the control group was similar to that in the pepsin group (122.2 (53.4) microm and 122.2 (38.0) microm, n.s., respectively). Fluoridation reduced tissue loss after demineralization (98.8 (30.2) microm) but not after pepsin treatment (125.2 (34.2) microm; p< or =0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Under the conditions used, pepsin had no influence on tissue loss, but altered the efficacy of fluoridation measures.
Schlueter
Nadine
N
Department of Conservative and Preventive Dentistry, Dental Clinic of Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany. nadine.schlueter@dentist.med.uni-giessen.de
Ganss
Carolina
C
Hardt
Martin
M
Schegietz
Daniel
D
Klimek
Joachim
J
D003094:Collagen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000032:analysis; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008964:Molar, Third; D010434:Pepsin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000201:enzymology; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D014089:Tooth Remineralization
D003094:Collagen; D010434:Pepsin A; D005459:Fluorides; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D006909:Hydroxyproline