High-resolution 1H NMR investigations of the oxidative consumption of salivary biomolecules by oral rinse peroxides.

BACKGROUND: A multicomponent evaluation of the oxidative consumption of salivary biomolecules by a tooth-whitening oral rinse preparation has been performed using high-resolution proton ((1)H) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). METHODS: Unstimulated human saliva samples (n = 12) were treated with aliquots of the oral rinse tested and 600 MHz (1)H NMR spectra acquired on these samples demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and/or peroxodisulphate (S(2)O(8) (2-)) present in this product gave rise to the oxidative decarboxylation of the salivary electron-donor pyruvate (to acetate and CO(2)), and also oxidized methionine (a precursor to volatile sulphur compounds responsible for oral malodour), and malodourous trimethylamine to methionine sulphoxide and trimethylamine-N-oxide, respectively (reductions observed in the salivary concentrations of each biomolecular peroxide-scavenging agent were all extremely statistically significant, p < 0.005). RESULTS: Experiments conducted on chemical model systems confirmed the consumption of pyruvate by this product, and also revealed that the amino acids cysteine and methionine were oxidatively transformed to cystine and methionine sulphoxide, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High-field (1)H NMR analysis provides much valuable molecular information regarding the fate of tooth-whitening oxidants in human saliva and permits an assessment of the mechanisms of action of oral healthcare products containing these agents. The biochemical and potential therapeutic significance of the results obtained are discussed.

1H NMR investigations of the molecular nature of cobalt(II) ions in human saliva.

High-resolution (1)H NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that addition of Co(II) ions to isolated human salivary supernatants (HSSs) gave rise to its complexation by a variety of biomolecules. The relative efficacies of these complexants/chelators in this context were classifiable by the influence of added Co(II) on their line-widths and chemical shift values, and also the added Co(II) concentration-dependence of these spectral modifications. Those which were most affected by the addition of this metal ion were lactate > formate ≈histidinate > succinate, this order reflecting the ability of these complexants to compete for the available Co(II) in terms of (1) thermodynamic equilibrium constants for the formation of their complexes and (2) their HSS concentrations. Since many of these HSS Co(II) complexants (particularly lactate, formate and histidine) serve as powerful ()OH scavengers, the results acquired indicate that any of this radical generated from the Co(II) source in such complexes via pseudo-Fenton reactions may be 'site-specifically' scavenged. The significance of these observations regarding the in vivo corrosion of cobalt-containing metal alloy dental prostheses (e.g., Co-Cr alloys), the availability of trace levels of this metal ion in human saliva, and cobalt toxicity, is discussed.

High resolution 1H NMR investigations of the oxidative consumption of salivary biomolecules by ozone: relevance to the therapeutic applications of this agent in clinical dentistry.

High resolution proton (1H) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed to simultaneously evaluate the oxidising actions of ozone (O3) towards a wide range of salivary biomolecules in view of its applications in dental practices, which may serve as a viable and convenient means for the treatment of dental caries. Treatment of supernatants derived from unstimulated human saliva specimens (n=12) with O3 (4.48 mmol) revealed that this reactive oxygen species gave rise to the oxidative consumption of pyruvate (generating acetate and CO2 as products), lactate (to pyruvate and sequentially acetate and CO2), carbohydrates in general (a process generating formate), methionine (giving rise to its corresponding sulphoxide), and urate (to allantoin). Further, minor O3-induced modifications included the oxidation of trimethylamine and 3-D-hydroxybutyrate, the fragmentation of salivary glycosaminoglycans to NMR-detectable saccharide fragments, and the conversion of polyunsaturated fatty acids to their ozonides. Moreover, evidence for the ability of O3 to induce the release of selected low-molecular-mass salivary biomolecules from macromolecular binding-sites was also obtained. Since many of the oxidation products detectable in O3-treated samples are identical to those arising from the attack of *OH radical on biofluid components, it appears that at least some of the modifications observed here are attributable to the latter oxidant (derived from O3*- generated from the single electron reduction of O3).

Determination of the illicit drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in human saliva and beverages by 1H NMR analysis.

High resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy has been employed to investigate the detection and quantification of the illicit "date-rape" drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in both human saliva and a commonly-consumed low-alcohol beer product. Data acquired revealed that this multicomponent analytical technique provided unequivocal evidence for the detection of this agent by this technique in both of these matrices, i.e., all three of its resonances [those ascribable to the alpha-CH2 (t, delta=2.25 ppm), beta-CH2 (tt, delta=1.81 ppm) and gamma-CH2 (t, delta=3.61 ppm) group protons] were present in spectra acquired on human saliva, and two of these (the alpha- and beta-CH2 group signals) in the beverage product examined, the latter observation attributable to overlap of the gamma-CH2 1H resonance with those of carbohydrates. Since good linear calibration relationships between the intensities of each of the NMR-visible signals and added GHB concentration (the former normalised to that of an external 3-trimethylsilyl [2,2,3,3-2H4]- propionate standard present in a coaxial NMR tube insert) were observed, this illicit drug is also readily quantifiable in such multicomponent samples. Our data demonstrate the advantages offered by this technique when applied to the analysis of illicit drugs in multicomponent sample matrices such as human biofluids and beverage products.

High-resolution (1)H NMR investigations of the capacity of dentifrices containing a "smart" bioactive glass to influence the metabolic profile of and deliver calcium ions to human saliva.

Dentifrices containing H(2)O-reactive bioactive glasses alleviate hypersensitivity in teeth via the blockage of open dentinal tubules. Here, the ability of two such products to release Ca(2+) ions into human saliva was investigated, together with their influence on the status of this biofluid's (1)H NMR-detectable biomolecules. Human salivary supernatants were equilibrated with increasing volumes of those derived from each dentifrice (5.00 min at 37 degrees C). These biofluids were also equilibrated at 37 degrees C with a preselected quantity of the intact products (samples were collected at increasing timepoints). Salivary Ca(2+) concentrations were monitored by a (1)H NMR technique involving ethylenediamine tetra-acetate addition and/or atomic absorption spectrometry. Added Ca(2+)- and dentifrice supernatant volume (DSV)-induced modifications to the salivary (1)H NMR profile were explored by spectral titration. Data acquired demonstrated added DSV-dependent increases in salivary Ca(2+) concentrations and (Ca(2+)-independent) modifications to the intensities of selected salivary (1)H NMR signals, particularly those of the malodorous amines methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethylamines, which were diminished by up to 80% of their prior values. Time-dependent elevations in salivary Ca(2+) level were observed on equilibration with the intact dentifrices. Added Ca(2+) ions exerted a concentration-dependent influence on a range of resonances (including those of citrate, succinate, pyruvate, and lactate). These data provide valuable information regarding the mechanisms of action of the products tested.

1H NMR analysis as a diagnostic probe for human saliva.

The applications of high resolution (1)H NMR analysis as a diagnostic probe for human saliva are reviewed with special reference to diabetes mellitus, and a recently published report regarding the ability of this technique to detect advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in this biofluid [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 323 (2004) 377-381]. We also demonstrate that hypochlorous acid/hypochlorite (HOCl/OCl(-))-induced modifications to the (1)H NMR profiles of human salivary supernatants arise from the chlorination and, where appropriate, oxidation of amino acids and malodorous amines, together with the oxidation of carbohydrates and alpha-keto acid anions. The attack of HOCl/OCl(-) on carbohydrates yields formate (singlet, delta = 8.46 ppm), the (1)H NMR signal of which was erroneously assigned to AGE species by the authors of [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 323 (2004) 377-381].