The inhibitory effects of silver diamine fluorides on cysteine cathepsins

J Dent. 2014 Mar;42(3):329-35. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2013.11.018. Epub 2013 Dec 4.

Abstract

Aim: The expression of cysteine cathepsins in human carious dentine suggests that this enzyme contributes to the collagen degradation in caries progress. This study investigated whether silver diamine fluoride (SDF) inhibited the activity of cysteine cathepsins.

Methods: Three commercial SDF solutions with concentrations at 38%, 30% and 12% were studied. Two fluoride solutions with the same fluoride ion (F(-)) concentrations as the 38% and 12% SDF solutions, and 2 silver solutions with the same silver ion (Ag(+)) concentrations as the 38% and 12% SDF solutions were prepared. Five samples of each experimental solution were used to study their inhibitory effect on two cathepsins (B and K) using cathepsin assay kits. Positive control contained assay buffer and cathepsins dilution was used to calculate the percentage inhibition (difference between the mean readings of the test solution and control solution divided by that of the control group).

Results: The percentage inhibition of 38%, 30% and 12% SDF on cathepsin B were 92.0%, 91.5% and 90.3%, respectively (p<0.001); on cathepsin K were 80.6%, 78.5% and 77.9%, respectively (p<0.001). Ag(+) exhibited the inhibitory effect against both cathepsin B and K with or without the presence of F(-) (p<0.01). The solutions containing Ag(+) have significantly higher inhibitory effect than the solutions containing F(-) only (p<0.01).

Conclusion: According to this study, SDF solution at all 3 tested concentrations significantly inhibited the activity of cathepsin B and K.

Keywords: Arrest caries; Cysteine cathepsins; Dentine; Matrix metalloproteinases; Silver diamine fluoride.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cariostatic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Cariostatic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cathepsin B / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cathepsin K / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Energy Transfer
  • Fluorescence
  • Fluorides, Topical
  • Humans
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Materials Testing
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Silver Compounds
  • Silver Nitrate / administration & dosage
  • Silver Nitrate / pharmacology
  • Sodium Fluoride / administration & dosage
  • Sodium Fluoride / pharmacology

Substances

  • Cariostatic Agents
  • Fluorides, Topical
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Silver Compounds
  • Sodium Fluoride
  • Silver Nitrate
  • silver diamine fluoride
  • CTSB protein, human
  • Cathepsin B
  • CTSK protein, human
  • Cathepsin K