MPC-polymer reduces adherence and biofilm formation by oral bacteria

J Dent Res. 2011 Jul;90(7):900-5. doi: 10.1177/0022034511402996. Epub 2011 Mar 29.

Abstract

Oral biofilms such as dental plaque cause dental caries and periodontitis, as well as aspiration pneumonia and infectious endocarditis by translocation. Hence, the suppression of oral biofilm formation is an issue of considerable importance. Mechanical removal, disinfectants, inhibition of polysaccharide formation, and artificial sugar have been used for the reduction of oral biofilm. From the viewpoint of the inhibition of bacterial adherence, we investigated whether aqueous biocompatible 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-polymer can reduce streptococcal colonization and biofilm formation. We examined the effects of MPC-polymer on streptococcal adherence to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite and oral epithelial cells, and the adherence of Fusobacterium nucleatum to streptococcal biofilm. MPC-polymer application markedly inhibited both the adherence and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite and streptococcal adherence to oral epithelial cells, and reduced the adherence of F. nucleatum to streptococcal biofilms. A small-scale clinical trial revealed that mouthrinsing with MPC-polymer inhibited the increase of oral bacterial numbers, especially of S. mutans. These findings suggest that MPC-polymer is a potent inhibitor of bacterial adherence and biofilm development, and may be useful to prevent dental-plaque-related diseases. (UMIN Clinical Trial Registry UMIN000003471).

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacterial Adhesion / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Dental Pellicle
  • Dental Plaque / microbiology
  • Dental Plaque / prevention & control*
  • Durapatite
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / microbiology*
  • Methacrylates / pharmacology*
  • Methacrylates / therapeutic use
  • Mouth Mucosa / cytology
  • Mouth Mucosa / microbiology
  • Mouthwashes / pharmacology*
  • Mouthwashes / therapeutic use
  • Phosphorylcholine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Phosphorylcholine / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylcholine / therapeutic use
  • Streptococcus mutans / drug effects*

Substances

  • Methacrylates
  • Mouthwashes
  • Phosphorylcholine
  • 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine
  • Durapatite