Browsing by Subject "tooth decay"

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    Effect of Caffeine on the Growth of Streptococcus mutans
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2015-04-17) DuBois, Aubrey E.; Gregory, Richard L.
    Caffeine consumption is a staple of the typical adult diet. Previous research has demonstrated many possible health benefits of regular consumption of caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee and tea. Coffee may contain up 200 mg caffeine/cup (84 μg/ml). This study investigated the correlation between oral health and caffeine consumption by observing the effects of the compound on the growth of a leading contributor to tooth decay, Streptococcus mutans. Assays were performed to examine the effect of different concentrations of caffeine on both the planktonic and biofilm growth of the bacteria. Caffeine concentrations of 200 and 400 μg/ml demonstrated significant biofilm formation enhancement (p<0.05). Contrastingly, concentrations from 31.25 through 100 μg/ml caused a slight, significant inhibition in biofilm formation. Planktonic growth of S. mutans was marginally inhibited in concentrations of 31.25 through 200 μg/ml. The results of this study indicate a potential for adverse side effects to oral health when caffeine is consumed in high concentrations. Lower concentrations such as those naturally found in coffee and tea may inhibit formation of biofilm and dental plaque, thereby promoting good oral health.
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    Serotype k Streptococcus mutans Binding to Collagen and Fibrinogen in Nicotine
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2016-04-08) Quint, Nicole; Gregory, Richard L.
    Background: Streptococcus mutans is a gram-positive coccus-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacterium that is commonly found in the human oral cavity and is a major contributor to tooth decay. The bacterium has the potential to make its way into the blood stream and adhere to endothelial cell proteins such as collagen and fibrinogen in the arteries through specific receptors potentially leading to atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells secrete cell-associated and cell-free collagen and fibrinogen. Specifically, serotype k S. mutans have been associated with atherosclerosis and nicotine has been shown to increase the biofilm formation of S. mutans (serotype k). The focus of this research was to measure S. mutans ability to bind to collagen type I and fibrinogen when the cells were grown in the presence of nicotine. Methods: S. mutans serotype k strains 51, 52, and 89 were cultured in 0–2 mg/mL nicotine. Formaldehyde was added to kill the cells followed by labeling the cells with biotin. Collagen type I and fibrinogen were coated (1 μg/mL) onto 96-well microtiter plates. The plates were washed and 1% BSA was added to block the wells. Then the biotinylated nicotine-treated S. mutans were added, incubated to allow binding to the endothelial cell proteins, and washed. Finally, ExtrAvidin HRP and OPD were added to the plate and the optical density was measured at an absorbance of 490 nm. Results: The optical density was directly related to the relative number of cells bound to collagen type I and fibrinogen. Conclusion: The results demonstrated a significant increase in all three strains of S. mutans binding to the proteins when cultured in 1 and 2 mg/mL concentrations of nicotine compared to the 0 nicotine control. The increased numbers of nicotine-treated S. mutans binding to the endothelial cell proteins may have the ability to contribute to atherosclerosis.