Effect of Lathyrogenic Agents on Dental Caries in the Rat

Abstract

The incorporation of 0.02, 0.01 and 0.005% semicarbazide-HCl (SCH) or 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01% [beta]-amino-propionitrile (BAPN) into a coarse particle diet which induces sulcal caries in rats caused a significant reduction in caries activity. In both cases, the effect was related to the concentration of the lathyrogenic agent. In diets which induce smooth surface lesions primarily, SCH had no effect on caries activity; but BAPN caused more active disease. Symptoms of osteolathyrism including exostoses and malformed mandibular condyles developed in animals on the highest concentrations of both agents. Six other nitriles which did not produce osteolathyrism did not affect the caries activity. Possible reasons for these results are discussed.