In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of a New Hydrogel Containing a Combination of Recombinant Protein with Vitamin E for Protection Against Erosive Demineralization

• Grant number: 23/17757-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Social and Preventive Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
• Grantee: Leonardo Brito
• Host 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

The acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) is a crucial factor in protecting against erosive tooth wear (ETW). Recent advancements in omics techniques have identified acid-resistant proteins in the AEP, leading to "acquired pellicle engineering" procedures aimed at enriching this integument with proteins that strongly bind to hydroxyapatite and remain attached after an acidic challenge. CaneCPI-5 stands out among these proteins for its strong interaction with hydroxyapatite and enhanced protective potential when applied directly to enamel. Vitamin E has also been recognized for its protective potential against initial erosive demineralization, possibly due to its ability to penetrate the lipids of the AEP's basal layer, reducing lipid degradation.Recent studies combining Vitamin E with CaneCPI-5 have shown a synergistic effect, regardless of whether the application is made before or after AEP formation. However, their separate application is not ideal from a clinical standpoint. Therefore, the study aims to develop a hydrogel based on a poloxamer (a triblock copolymer with a central hydrophobic portion flanked by two hydrophilic side chains) that allows for the incorporation of both CaneCPI-5 and Vitamin E. It is hypothesized that this hydrogel, containing both agents, could penetrate the lipid layers of the pellicle, facilitating the distribution of CaneCPI-5 and Vitamin E in the basal layer, allowing for the interaction and aggregation of acid-resistant proteins, even when applied after the formation of the pellicle. The developed hydrogel will be evaluated for its protective potential against initial enamel erosion both in vitro and in vivo, as well as its ability to alter the composition of the acquired enamel pellicle in vivo.