Clinical study of a C31G containing mouthrinse: effect on salivary microorganisms.

In vitro studies have demonstrated the antiplaque properties of C31G, a potent broad spectrum antimicrobial agent consisting of an equimolar mixture of alkyl dimethyl glycine and alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, buffered with citric acid. In this initial clinical study, C31G at concentrations of 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5%. Listerine, and placebo were tested in a complete crossover design. Twelve subjects were evaluated, with a minimum of 2 days between treatments. Parameters monitored were salivary bacterial counts and saliva glycolysis. The 0.5% and 0.2% C31G mouthrinses significantly reduced total bacterial counts in saliva samples obtained up to and including three hours after rinsing, compared with counts obtained prerinsing or after placebo rinsing. Both 0.5%, and 0.2% C31G significantly inhibited glycolysis of salivary bacteria for up to 6 hours postrinsing, compared with pH values obtained prerinsing. 0.1% and 0.05% C31G exhibited little or no effect in either assay. Listerine showed a significant reduction in bacterial counts for up to 1 hour postrinsing, compared with prerinse counts, but the effect was less sustained. Listerine showed no significant inhibition of glycolysis at any time point. No tooth staining or altered taste sensation was noted with either product.

Cloning and expression of a Streptococcus sanguis surface antigen that interacts with a human salivary agglutinin.

Human saliva contains a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein (agglutinin) which binds to specific streptococci in a calcium-dependent reaction leading to the formation of bacterial aggregates. We report the cloning of a gene encoding a surface antigen from Streptococcus sanguis M5 and show that the expressed protein inhibits agglutinin-mediated aggregation and specifically binds the salivary agglutinin in a calcium-dependent fashion. Clones isolated from the immunological screening of S. sanguis M5 genomic libraries with polyclonal antibodies against whole cells were assayed for the ability to compete with S. sanguis for agglutinin. One clone, pSSP-5, expressed antigens of 165 and 130 kilodaltons (kDa) possessing this activity. A 3-kilobase-pair (kbp) insert fragment from this clone was used to screen a genomic library in lambda EMBL3 which resulted in the isolation of clone SSP-5A. This clone contained an insert of 17 kb and expressed proteins of 170 to 205 kDa that reacted with the anti-S. sanguis antibodies. Subcloning of a 5.3-kbp EcoRI-BamHI fragment from SSP-5A produced pEB-5, which expressed streptococcal components that were indistinguishable from SSP-5A. The streptococcal antigen was purified by gel permeation and ion exchange chromatography and shown to potently compete with S. sanguis M5 cells for agglutinin. The antigen also bound purified salivary agglutinin in the presence of 1 mM CaCl2. This binding was inhibited by EDTA. Both the SSP-5 antigen and a 205-kDa protein in surface protein extracts from S. sanguis M5 cross-reacted with antibodies directed against antigen B from S. mutans and SpaA from S. sobrinus 6715. These results indicate that a 205-kDa surface protein that is antigenically related to SpaA and antigen B is involved in the binding of salivary agglutinin to S. sanguis M5.

C31G, a new agent for oral use with potent antimicrobial and antiadherence properties.

C31G, an equimolar mixture of alkyl dimethyl glycine and alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, was evaluated for antimicrobial and antiadherence properties. The efficacy of C31G, its two components, and several commercial mouth rinses was determined in assays measuring inhibition of glycolysis, inhibition of bacterial adherence, and MICs. Inhibition of glycolysis was determined by using a saliva sediment model, with glycolytic activity expressed as the change in pH relative to that of a control. Adherence studies were undertaken with Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 to measure inhibition of adherence to nichrome wires. MICs were determined against selected microorganisms by standard methods. C31G demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, with activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms and Candida albicans, a yeast. C31G inhibited both glycolysis by salivary bacteria and adherence of Streptococcus strains to wire mesh. C31G was more effective in the assays conducted than any commercial formulation tested and was as effective as chlorhexidine. A synergistic effect was demonstrated between the individual components of C31G, and no loss of activity was noted when it was formulated into a mouth rinse vehicle.