title: Virulence modulation of Streptococcus mutans biofilms by metal ions released from orthodontic appliances.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of metal ions commonly shed from orthodontic appliances on the virulence of Streptococcus mutans ATCC®25175™ biofilms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biofilms were grown in the presence of Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+), Co(2+), and a metal ion pool at concentrations similar to those released in saliva of orthodontic patients for 72 hours. Once mature, biofilms were treated for up to 12 hours with 5% glucose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ions interfered with the growth of S mutans by reducing its biomass (Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+)), raising its rates of sugar metabolism (Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+)), and raising its secretion of lactate (Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+), pool).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The laboratory data presented here point to the possibility of virulence increase of S mutans by metal ions commonly released during orthodontic therapy.
authors.affiliation: a  PhD student, Xenobiotics Research Unit, The Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alinne Ulbrich Mores
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Rymovicz
authors.forename: Maiara Medeiros
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ronsani
authors.forename: Ana Maria Trindade
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Grégio
authors.forename: Odilon Guariza
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Guariza-Filho
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Edvaldo Antonio Ribeiro
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Rosa
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000382:microbiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D008670:Metals; D019344:Lactic Acid; D005947:Glucose