Effect of beta-defensin on VSC growth and production by Solobacterium moorei and Porphyromonas gingivalis

• Grant number: 15/07973-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Bento Alves de Moraes
• Grantee: Barbara Almeida
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/50419-2 - Oral health and behavior: interdisciplinary perspectives and emotional aspects in the health-disease process, AP.TEM

Abstract

Halitosis is a disagreeable odor emanating from oral cavity. It is known that 96% of cases are originated from oral bacteria activity. In the presence of a protein substrate, bacteria produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), the main gases associated with halitosis. Despite this, stress have also been suggested as a possible etiologic agent of halitosis. In a previously study conducted by our research group, it was observed that healthy undergraduate students with higher stress levels showed higher VSC production, higher alpha-amylase levels and reduction in salivary concentration of beta-defensin, but the impact that this phenomenon has on halitosis is still under investigation. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of beta-defensin (BD) in growth and production of VSC by Solobacterium moorei and Porphyromonas gingivalis microorganisms. Growth and planktonic cultures availability will be evaluated. Gas chromatography (Oral Chroma®) will be used for measurement of VSC concentration directly from culture tubes to verify the BD effect on the VSC production by these microorganisms.