Albumin Interaction with Caries-Like Lesions in Bovine Enamel

Abstract

The exposure of bovine enamel to an albumin-containing demineralizing solution results in penetration of protein into the porous enamel. Washing of this albumin-containing enamel results in a complete (low pretreatment albumin concentrations) or partial removal of the albumin (pretreatment concentrations ≧200 μg/ml^-1). Subsequent exposure to increasing salt concentrations of fluoride, phosphate, calcium or chloride shows a partial removal of albumin at fluoride or phosphate concentrations of 75 mM while complete removal occurred at 150–200 mM fluoride or phosphate. Exposure to either calcium or chloride, even at 3 M concentrations, showed a negligible albumin release. It is proposed that protein removed at high fluoride or phosphate concentrations is bound by a strong interaction between protein-carboxyl groups and calcium on the surface of the enamel mineral. The partial removal of albumin released at low fluoride or phosphate concentrations indicates an enamel-albumin interaction by means of Ca-bridging between protein-carboxyl groups and mineral phosphates. Finally, it is suggested that salt-free washing removes albumin that has lost its native form upon binding to the partially dissolved crystallites of the enamel. It is concluded that enamel is mainly protected from demineralization by the inhibitory effects of protein penetrated into the pores, in addition to possible protection by the pellicle on the surface.

Salivary proteins as biomarkers in dental caries: In vivo study

“…Various studies have concluded that the albumin has inhibitory effect on enamel demineralization by penetrating into the enamel pores [33]. The results of present study showed a variation in albumin globulin ratio between high caries group and control group.…”

Salivary Proteins—A Barrier on Enamel Demineralization: An in vitro Study

“…This could be because enamel is mainly protected from demineralization by the inhibitory effects of salivary albumin which penetrates into the pores and binds to hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals in addition to the protective effects of AEP. 1415 These results were in accordance with the studies on other salivary proteins conducted by Kielbassa et al, 15 Featherstone et al, 16 Kosoric et al 17 and Martins et al 4 Studies conducted by Hemingway et al 18 has also shown that egg protein ovalbumin has potential antierosive properties and can be used as additive to drinks. Also, a study conducted by Hegde et al concluded that with the decrease in the levels of albumin there is increase in the levels of dental caries.…”

Bovine serum albumin conformational changes upon adsorption on titania and on hydroxyapatite and their relation with biomineralization

“…Desorption data have been found to be strongly dependent on the type and concentration of salts present in the incubating solution. Whereas some authors18, 19 have found negligible BSA desorption from hydroxyapatite, other authors reported desorption values up to 99.9% 11…”