Natural Defense Properties of Amine-Zinc Lactate-Fluoride Toothpaste

Objectives: The oral mucosa provides first-line protection against external challenges through its chemical, physical and immune barrier functions. Mucins are the main components of the oral mucosal chemical barrier. This study evaluated the efficacy of a toothpaste containing amine compound, zinc lactate and fluoride (1400 ppm) (AZF) to enhance the mucosal barrier compared to 2 bicarbonate fluoride and sodium fluoride toothpastes (NaF) (1400 ppm F-).
Methods:

Mucin on the soft tissue -chemical barrier enhancement: Vitro-skin® was pre-soaked with mucin, treated with toothpaste slurry and washed with PBS. Vitro-skin® was then incubated with mucin again. After a brief rinse, the mucin on the Vitro-skin® was analyzed by Alcian blue staining.

Tissue integrity- epithelial barrier maintenance: MatTek gingival tissue was treated with toothpaste slurry and washed with PBS. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) were measured before and post treatment. Medium was collected for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis and quantified according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Results:

Mucins
The AZF toothpaste significantly increased mucins on the vitro skin compared to the PBS control as well as NaF control. AZF toothpaste was significantly better than tested two bicarbonate fluoride toothpastes.

TEER
There is no significant difference between AZF toothpaste and untreated control. Compared to AZF toothpaste, both tested bicarbonate fluoride toothpastes decreased TEER significantly.

LDH
AZF toothpaste showed no significant difference in maintaining gingival tissue integrity compared to untreated control. Compared to untreated control, both tested bicarbonate fluoride toothpastes released significantly more LDH. AZF toothpaste was significantly better than two tested bicarbonate fluoride toothpastes in preventing tissue release of LDH.
Conclusions:

This work demonstrates that a toothpaste containing amine-zinc lactate-fluoride are significantly better than tested two bicarbonate fluoride toothpastes in promoting the oral skin mucin barrier while maintaining the integrity of the epithelial barrier, thereby enhancing the natural defenses of the oral mucosa.