Journal of Applied Oral Science (Apr 2010)

Analysis of the association between lactotransferrin (LTF) gene polymorphism and dental caries

  • Luiza Foltran Azevedo,
  • Giovana Daniela Pecharki,
  • João Armando Brancher,
  • Carlos Alberto Cordeiro Junior,
  • Kamilla Gabriella dos Santos Medeiros,
  • Alessandra Armstrong Antunes,
  • Eduardo Silva Arruda,
  • Renata Iani Werneck,
  • Luciana Reis de Azevedo,
  • Rui Fernando Mazur,
  • Samuel Jorge Moysés,
  • Simone Tetü Moysés,
  • Fábio Rueda Faucz,
  • Paula Cristina Trevilatto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-77572010000200011
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 2
pp. 166 – 170

Abstract

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OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the association between lactotransferrin (LTF) gene polymorphism (exon 2, A/G, Lys/Arg) and dental caries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 110 individuals, 12 years old, was divided into: group 1, 48 individuals without caries experience (DMFT=0), and group 2, 62 subjects with caries experience (DMFT>1). DNA was obtained from a mouthwash with 3% glucose solution, followed by a scrapping of the oral mucosa. After DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) was performed to access the study polymorphism. The LTF A/G (Lys/Arg) polymorphism had been previously reported as located in exon 1. RESULTS: Allele 1 of the study polymorphism was associated with low DMFT index and showed a protective effect against caries experience (OR=0.16, IC=0.03-0.76, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Lactotransferrin A/G (exon 2, Lys/Arg) polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to dental caries in 12-year-old students.

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