Abstract
There is growing evidence that C. albicans is associated with dental caries, but its role on caries development needs to be better clarified. Label="OBJECTIVE">To evaluate at the hard tissue level the effect of C. albicans on the cariogenic potential of S. mutans biofilms focusing on the mineral profile of induced carious lesions. This study also aimed to evaluate the effect of C. albicans on the acidogenic potential of S. mutans biofilms. METHODOLOGY Dual-species (CA+SM) and single-species biofilms (CA or SM) were grown on the surface of enamel slabs in the presence of glucose/sucrose supplemented culture medium for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Demineralization was evaluated through percentage of surface microhardness change (%SMC) and transversal microradiography analysis (ILM and LD) and pH of the spent medium was recorded daily. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni correction. RESULTS%SMC was statistically different among the biofilms at each time point being the highest for SM biofilms and the lowest for CA biofilms which also differed from CA+SM biofilms [SM (24 h: 47.0±7.3; 48 h: 66.3±8.3; 72 h: 75.4±3.9); CA (24 h: 7.3±3.3; 48 h: 7.1±6.4; 72 h: 6.6±3.6); CA+SM (24 h: 35.9±7.39.1; 48 h: 47.2±9.5; 72 h: 47.6±9.5)]. pH of spent medium was statistically lower for SM biofilms compared to the other biofilms at each time point and remained constant over time while pH values increased from 24 to 72 h for both CA and CA+SM biofilms [SM (24 h: 4.4±0.1; 48 h: 4.4±0.1; 72 h: 4.5±0.1); CA (24 h: 6.9±0.3; 48 h: 7.2±0.2; 72 h: 7.5±0.2); CA+MS (24 h: 4.7±0.2; 48 h: 5.1±0.1; 72 h: 6.1±0.6)]. IML and LD for SM biofilms increased over time while no difference was observed from 24 to 72 h for the other biofilms. CONCLUSIONS The present data suggest that C. albicans has low enamel demineralization potential and the presence of C. albicans can reduce both the cariogenic and acidogenic potentials of S. mutans biofilms.
Highlights
Acid production, through fermentation of carbohydrates by a selective group of microorganisms, results in pH reduction within biofilms
Dual-species (MIX; C. albicans + S. mutans; n=24) and single-species (C. albicans; n=24 or S. mutans; n=24) biofilms were grown on the surface of sound bovine enamel slabs in the presence of culture medium supplemented with 6 mM glucose and 3 mM sucrose for 24, 48 and 72 hours (n=8 for each biofilm experimental period)
As the presence of C. albicans has been increasingly related to dental caries,21 the present study used an in vitro biofilm model for the assessment of enamel carious lesion development at the hard tissue level by using surface hardness and transversal microradiography aiming to investigate the effect of C. albicans on the cariogenic potential of S. mutans biofilms as well as on their acidogenic potential
Summary
Through fermentation of carbohydrates by a selective group of microorganisms, results in pH reduction within biofilms. This acidification is directly related to the dissolution of tooth tissues that might occur if the balance between demineralization and remineralization process is disturbed over an extended period.. In dental caries, frequent sugar intake results in a dysbiotic change in dental plaque where the acid-tolerant microorganisms prevail over the less acid-tolerant ones in response to biofilm acidification.. Candida albicans has a high acid tolerance and is capable of producing acids even under low pH conditions. These characteristics may favor the fungus in the microbial shifts associated with dental caries.. These characteristics may favor the fungus in the microbial shifts associated with dental caries. the frequency of isolation of C. albicans is significantly higher in biofilms associated with carious teeth.
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