RESUMO
Streptococcus mutans is considered the primary etiologic agent of dental caries and contributes significantly to the virulence of dental plaque, especially in the presence of sucrose. To avoid the role of sucrose on the virulence factors of S. mutans, sugar substitutes are commonly consumed because they lead to lower or no production of acids and interfere with biofilm formation. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of sugar substitutes in the cariogenic potential of S. mutans biofilms. Thus, in the presence of sucrose, glucose, sucralose and sorbitol, the biofilm mass was quantified up to 96 h, the pH of the spent culture media was measured, the expression of biofilm-related genes was determined, and demineralization challenge experiments were conduct in enamel fragments. The presence of sugars or sugar substitutes profoundly affected the expression of spaP, gtfB, gtfC, gbpB, ftf, vicR and vicX in either biofilm or planktonic cells. The substitution of sucrose induced a down-regulation of most genes involved in sucrose-dependent colonization in biofilm cells. When the ratio between the expression of biofilm and planktonic cells was considered, most of those genes were down-regulated in biofilm cells in the presence of sugars and up-regulated in the presence of sugar substitutes. However, sucralose but not sorbitol fulfilled the purpose of reducing the cariogenic potential of the diet since it induced the biofilm formation with the lowest biomass, did not change the pH of the medium and led to the lowest lesion depth in the cariogenic challenge.
Assuntos
Biofilmes/efeitos dos fármacos , Cárie Dentária/microbiologia , Streptococcus mutans/efeitos dos fármacos , Edulcorantes/farmacologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/análise , Técnicas Bacteriológicas , Biofilmes/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Biomassa , Cariogênicos/farmacologia , Proteínas de Transporte/análise , Meios de Cultura , Esmalte Dentário/microbiologia , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Glucose/farmacologia , Glucosiltransferases/análise , Hexosiltransferases/análise , Humanos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Lectinas/análise , Proteínas de Membrana/análise , Sorbitol/farmacologia , Streptococcus mutans/fisiologia , Sacarose/análogos & derivados , Sacarose/farmacologia , Fatores de Tempo , Tomografia de Coerência Óptica/métodos , Desmineralização do Dente/microbiologia , Fatores de Virulência/análiseRESUMO
A study was conducted to identify the prevalence of heart disease and associated health-related behaviors among continuing care retirement community (CCRC) residents; researchers also sought to identify management strategies for heart disease. Study results indicated that self-reported heart disease is prevalent among CCRC residents: 60% reported three or more health risk behaviors. The CCRC environment lends itself to providing various management advantages, including access to on-site clinicians, group education, and exercise and dining facilities to promote adherence to exercise, nutrition, and medical management plans.