Polyamines of dental plaque in caries-resistant vs. caries-susceptible adults

Utilizing a sensitive liquid chromatographic system, polyamines were quantitated in three-day plaque from 13 caries-resistant (CR) and 35 caries-susceptible (CS) adults after they had fasted for 12 hours. The values for putrescine and cadaverine were significantly higher in the CR group. This may be attributed to a greater availability of salivary substrate precursors of polyamines and/or higher levels of biosynthetic decarboxylase activities in the CR subjects, or both.