Characterization of cysteine-containing phosphoproteins from human submandibular-sublingual saliva.

Members of a family of acidic proteins taken from human submandibular-sublingual saliva were designated cysteine-containing phosphoproteins, since they could be distinguished from other salivary phosphoproteins by the presence of half-cystine. These molecules consisted of a single peptide chain of approximately 14,000 daltons. Their isoelectric points ranged from 4.3 to 5.9. Two groups (C2 and C3) were O-phosphorylated. Their charge heterogeneity was apparently due to variations in content of phosphate and acidic and basic amino acids.

A simplified laboratory procedure to select an appropriate antibiotic for treatment of refractory periodontitis.

THE FEASIBILITY OF USING A simplified laboratory procedure to select an appropriate antibiotic for treatment of refractory periodontitis was investigated. Six different antibiotics were added to commercially available CDC-agar plates. Plaque samples from periodontal pockets were inoculated onto the plates. The percentage kill was determined by comparing colony counts on the antibiotic-containing medium with those on the control plates. The three most effective antibiotics were ranked by visual inspection as well as by colony count. It was determined that visual inspection may be used to determine an effective antibiotic.

Eubacterium saburreum and Veillonella parvula: a symbiotic association or oral strains.

A cocci-filament association was discovered in bacterial cultural studies of a subgingival plaque sample. Components were isolated and identified as Veillonella parvula and Eubacterium saburreum. A E. saburreum cell-associated material consisting of approximately 25% glucose and 70% protein was found which may play a role in the adherence of V. parvula to this filament. Acid end product analysis via gas liquid chromatography showed an uptake of lactic and succinic acids by V. parvula resulting in increased levels of acetic, propionic and n-butyric acids in mixed culture of the E. saburreum and the V. parvula strains. The ability of E. saburreum to adhere to nichrome wire and to glass surfaces as well as the secondary plaque forming ability of V. parvula indicates that these organisms may play a role in the maturation of human dental plaque.

Pathogenicity testing of Macaca arctoides subgingival plaque following chlorhexidine treatment.

POTENTIAL INFECTIVITY of subgingival plaque of Macaca arctoides in guinea pig leg muscle was examined before, during, and after chlorhexidine treatment. The regime of chlorhexidine administration did not appear to alter the monkey subgingival microflora markedly and had no demonstrable effects on the pathogenicity of the subgingival plaque. These data confirm previous suggestions that chlorhexidine essentially does not penetrate into the deeper part of periodontal pockets following a supragingival mode of administration.

Reduction of testosterone availability to 5 alpha-reductase by human sex hormone-binding globulin in the rat ventral prostate gland in vivo.

The present studies assess the effects of human sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) on the conversion of [3H]testosterone (T) into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in rat ventral prostate gland in vivo using a constant aortic infusion technique. The DHT/T ratio was determined using two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and these results were confirmed with reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The prostatic gland DHT/T ratio was 2.1 +/- 0.4, 1.3 +/- 0.2, 0.24 +/- 0.02, or 1.1 +/- 0.2, following a 60 sec aortic perfusion of [3H]testosterone dissolved in either Krebs-Henselite buffer (KHB), 5 g/dl human serum albumin (HSA), human pregnancy serum (HPS), or heat inactivated HPS, respectively. Heat inactivation (60 degrees C, 60 min) selectively denatured SHBG in HPS. The distribution of [3H]testosterone in rat ventral prostate was examined with thaw-mount light in microscopic autoradiography. Following an aortic perfusion of [3H]testosterone in buffer alone, the radiolabeled steroid was uniformly distributed among the epithelial and stromal compartments. However, the [3H]steroid hormone was selectively sequestered in the stromal compartment following aortic perfusion of HPS. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that human SHBG markedly restricts the availability of circulating testosterone to 5 alpha-reductase in the prostate gland in vivo and that the presence of SHBG in serum causes the selective sequestration of the steroid hormone within the stromal compartment of the gland in vivo.

Microbial composition of monkey dental plaque (Macaca arctoides and Macaca fascicularis).

The supragingival and subgingival dental plaque flora of Macaca arctoides and Macaca fascicularis monkeys were examined using mylar strip impressions, direct smears, and culture techniques. In smears, samples generally contained 40--50% cocci, 20--30% rods 8--20% fusiform bacteria, and 4--5% each of filaments, vibrios and spirochetes. Differences in the ratios of the various bacterial groups related to age and sex were found. Several monkey bacterial species were similar to those in human dental plaque. The present results indicate that the Macaca female monkey can be a suitable animal model for the experimental studies of dental diseases.

Role of salivary mucins in the protection of the oral cavity.

Mucins are the principal organic constituents of mucus, the slimy visco-elastic material that coats all mucosal surfaces. Compelling evidence suggests that they play an integral role in non-immune protection of the oral cavity. Specific protective functions include: 1) protection against desiccation and environmental insult, 2) lubrication, and 3) antimicrobial effects against potential pathogens. Biosynthesis of mucin is regulated by both intrinsic ("cooperative sequential specificity") and extrinsic ("structural modulation") controls. These controls form the basis by which mucin's structure can be modified to meet a dynamically changing biological need.

Isolation and partial characterization of a genus common antigen and species specific antigen of Capnocytophaga.

Sixteen strains of Capnocytophaga were isolated from the pocket of a localized juvenile periodontitis patient. These strains were divided into four groups on the basis of morphological and physiological traits. Strains from group I and group III were identified as C. ochracea and group II as C. sputigena. An antigen common to genus Capnocytophaga was purified utilizing immunoabsorbent chromatography from lysates obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment of C. ochracea strain S1. An antigen specific to C. ochracea was prepared by sequential gel filtration and preparative isoelectric focusing. The genus common and species specific antigens isolated were immunologically unique and pure when tested by immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion against rabbit antisera prepared to Capnocytophaga and other gram-negative rods. The genus common antigen was susceptible to trypsin and pronase digestion, was soluble in chloroform-methanol, but was unaltered by ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease treatments and periodate oxidation. Antigenicity of the species specific antigen was destroyed by periodate oxidation. The genus common antigen appeared to be lipid-associated protein, while the species specific antigen consisted mainly of carbohydrate. These specific immunological reagents would be valuable in diagnosing and monitoring diseases.