A synergistic arginine-fluoride varnish targeted for cariogenic microenvironments

Abstract

Objectives: The study examined the effect of arginine (Arg) incorporation in 5% NaF varnish on (1) physical properties; (2) chemical properties; (3) F/Arg release; (4) caries preventive and remineralization potentials and (5) HGF-1 cell cytotoxicity. Methods: The tested groups were: (1) 2% Arg-NaF, (2) 4% Arg-NaF, (3) 8% Arg NaF, (4) 2% Arg.HCl-NaF, (5) 4% Arg.HCl-NaF, (6) 8% Arg.HCl-NaF, (7) NaF, and (8) No varnish. The tested varnishes were subjected to assessments for adhesion, viscosity, NaF extraction/recovery, total NaF/F concentration, Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Arg release and pH change in mixed species inoculum (Streptococcus mutans/Streptococcus sanguis/Streptococcus gordonii). Molecular dynamics were simulated to identify post-dynamics total energy for NaF=Arg/Arg>NaF/Arg43-i content, EDX with mapping, and micro-CT. Cytotoxicity of test groups were examined on HGF-1 using MTT and CCK-8 assay for 24h. Results: Incorporation of Arg in NaF varnish significantly influences physical properties ameliorating retention (p<0.001). Arg in NaF varnish institutes Arg-F complex. Molecular dynamics suggests that NaF>Arg concentration denotes stabilized environment compared to NaFConclusions: Incorporating 2% L-arginine in NaF varnish indicates a simple, minimally invasive and promising synergistic caries preventive strategy for high-risk patients.