The Effects of Phosphate on the Metabolism of Glucose and on the Cariogenicity of Commercial Sweets in Rats

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Abstract
Concentrations up to 0.5 molar phosphate did not influence the glucose breakdown by Lactobacillus casei; the metabolism of glucose by Screptococcus mitis is decreased at 0.2 molar phosphate and nearly completely prevented at 0.5 molar. A rat diet composed mainly of powdered commercial chocolate covered candy bars was prepared. Thrse phosphate levels were used. Tbe low-phosphate ration was supplied with 450 mg% Ca and 810 mg% phosphate. A middle-phosphate and a high-phosphate ratio were made by supplementing the low-phosphate ration with 1.6 g% and 4.8 g% NaKHPO4 respectively. The rations were given ad-libitum to littermate Wistar strain rats for 8 wk. Growth was 20-25% less on the high-phosphate ration than on the other 2. Dental caries was evaluated microscopically after sectioning and staining of the jaws with fuchsin; number, type and severity of the lesions were recorded separately. The number of fissure lesions in all groups was nearly the maximum that can be recorded by this method: 19.5 of 22. Apparently, the total number of proximal lesions was not influenced by the phosphate level of the diet. Caries progression was singificantly slower with increasing level of phosphate in the food. Differences for the middle and low phosphate group were most pronounced for the fissure cavities. Comparing the middle and high phosphate groups showed significant differences in the total fissure scores. Even with a dose that somewhat interferes with growth in rats, cariogenicity is not reduced to a level that allows recommendation of phosphate supplemented candy bars.

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