Aim: Different enzyme-containing toothpastes are available on the market. The aim of the present in situ study was to investigate their efficacy for immobilisation of protective enzymes in the pellicle layer.
Methods: Pellicle formation took place in situ on bovine enamel slabs fixed to individual upper jaw splints carried by 6 subjects. After pellicle formation for 1 min, brushing was performed for 3 min with the commercially available toothpastes Enzycal, biotène and BioXtra, respectively. Before as well as 0, 20 and 40 min after brushing, samples were removed from the splints and tested for lysozyme, peroxidase and glucoseoxidase activity. The assays for the respective enzyme activities were based on fluorogenic substrates. Separate experiments were conducted for the different enzymes and toothpastes.
Results: Brushing with the toothpastes caused an extensive increase of glucoseoxidase activity in the pellicle, but it was of low tenacity whereas peroxidase activity was enhanced considerably. However, targeted accumulation of lysozyme in the pellicle was not very pronounced. Brushing without toothpaste had no effect on enzyme activities in the acquired pellicle.
Conclusion: Targeted immobilisation of enzymes in the in situ pellicle can be achieved with toothpastes.
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