Oxidising actions of Ozone towards Root Caries Biomolecules.
E. LYNCH, C. SIL WOOD, C. SMITH, and M. GROOTVEL D. (Health and Health Care Research Centre, School of Dentistry, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland.)
Objectives: The aim of this study was to carry out a multicomponent evaluation of the oxidative consumption of primary root carious lesions (PRCLs) biomolecules by ozone (O3) generated by the HealOzone Unit using high-field proton nuclear m agnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy.
Methods: Using a hand-held standard fine nylon fibre sterile toothbrush with sterile water, plaque was removed from 18 soft PRCLs. After drying, a sample of PRCL was taken using a sterile excavator from half of the most active part of lesion. Subsequently, ozone was applied to the lesion for 10 s and another sample was taken from the other half of the most active part of the lesion. Each sample was weighed and subjected to 1H NMR analysis.
Results: The spectra contained well resolved, sharp signals assignable to bacterial- or yeast-derived organic acid anions (form ate, acetate, propionate, n-butyrate, lactate, and pyruvate), amino acids (predominantly alanine and glycine) and carbohydrates such as glucose. In addition to giving rise to the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate (generating acetate and CO2), and the attack of carbohydrates to produce formate, O3 also oxidised PRCL lactate, urate and glycosaminoglycans to yield acetate and CO2, allantoin and lowmolecularm ass saccharide fragments respectively. Volatile sulphur compound (VSC) precursor m ethionine was oxidised to sulphoxide. Evidence of the O3-m e diated oxidation of 3-D-hydroxybutyrate was also obtained.
Conclusions: Multicomponent analysis of root caries by high field 1H-NMR spectroscopy provides useful information regarding the oxidation of PRCL biomolecules by O3. The oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate by this oxidant evaluated in this study serves as an important fundamental example of this, which may be of so m e relevance to its mechanisms of action.