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

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). conclusion: lactotransferrin a/g (exon 2,lys/arg) polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to dental caries in 12-year-old students.