Resveratrol for prevention of dental caries and erosion: in vitro studies

• Grant number: 20/13351-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Social and Preventive Dentistry
• Principal researcher: Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
• Grantee: Fernanda Navas Reis
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/26070-1 - Modulation of acquired enamel pellicle to control dental mineral loss: unravelling mechanisms to make therapies possible, AP.TEM

Abstract

Resveratrol is a polyphenol naturally produced by different plant species, which has been widely studied for its different beneficial health effects, since it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties. Its consumption is associated with a reduction in cholesterol levels, obesity, cardiovascular risk and prevention of diabetes, in addition to having an anti-aging effect and having anti-cancer properties. After oral administration, the amount of free resveratrol in plasma is less than 1% of the amount ingested. In this way, its administration has been studied by alternative ways, which can increase its bioavailability. In the candidate's scientific initiation project (FAPESP 2019/20935-0), we evaluated administration via the sublingual route, which has the advantage of bringing benefits also to the oral cavity, in the prevention of dental caries and probably also of dental erosion, by increasing the amount of acid-resistant proteins in the acquired enamel pellicle, which has been little or not studied. Thus, the present study will be developed in two different subprojects, with the following objectives: 1) to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of resveratrol on the profile and viability of the microcosm biofilm, as well as on the prevention of enamel demineralization; 2) to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of resveratrol on the protection of enamel against initial erosion in vitro. For the first subproject, blocks of bovine enamel will be made, which will be divided into groups according to the treatments (resveratrol 50, 100, 200 or 400 µg/mL, PBS, NaF 0,05% or chlorhexidine). The specimens will then be incubated in a pool of human saliva and McBain artificial saliva for the formation of microcosm biofilm. CFU analyzes, metabolic viability (resazurin) and cross-sectional micro-radiography will be performed. For the second subproject, bovine enamel specimens will be made, divided into 6 groups: negative control, positive control and 4 experimental groups with different concentrations of resveratrol. Stimulated saliva will be collected from volunteers to form the acquired pellicle on the specimens. Initially these will be incubated for 1 h with human saliva, then the solutions will be applied for 1 min and a new incubation in human saliva will be made for another 1 h. Then, the specimens will be subjected to an initial erosive challenge for 3 days and the enamel softening will be evaluated by the percentage of surface hardness change. The data will be analyzed in relation to normality and homogeneity, to select the appropriate statistical test (p <0.05). (AU)