Dental Caries Related to Plasma IgG and Alpha1-Acid Glycoprotein

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining whether dental caries is associated with induction of the systemic immune system or cytokine response. For this purpose, 85 children from Den Pasar, Bali, Indonesia, aged 6–7 years, were examined clinically and blood plasma was obtained via finger puncture. The concentrations of the acute-phase protein α₁-acid glycoprotein (AGP), total IgG and the specific IgG and IgM immunoglobulins against Streptococcus mutans were determined. Immunoelectrophoresis was used for the determination of the AGP concentration and ELISA for IgG and IgM detection. The mean dmft of the whole group was 8.8 ± 2.9, the mean number of infected pulps was 3.9 ± 2.2 and the mean number of abscesses was 0.5 ± 0.8. The plasma concentration of AGP ranged between 0.13 and 1.6 mg/ml serum (mean 0.86 ± 0.26 mg/ml). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the concentration of IgG against S. mutans (log-transformed) was significantly correlated with dmft (adjusted r² = 0.083, standardized β coefficient = 0.31, p = 0.008). When the concentration AGP was included in the model the correlation improved significantly (for IgG: adjusted r² = 0.157, standardised β coefficient = 0.36, p = 0.002; for AGP: β coefficient = –0.30, p = 0.009). The results suggest a relationship between caries and systemic parameters of inflammation. On the basis of this, severe caries might have consequences on the general health of the subject.