Basic amino acid in the pathogenesis of caries.

Amino acid pattern in total saliva was studied in 43 children with caries, aged 12-15 years, using the method of ion exchange chromatography. The results were compared to those obtained in a control group of 39 children without caries. In saliva from the children with caries, a significantly lower level of arginine (22.02 mumol/l), and a complete lack of histidine and its derivatives were observed when compared to the control group, where the concentrations of arginine and 1-methylhistidine were 28.36 and 26.34 mumol/l, respectively. The results obtained suggested that a decreased concentration of arginine, and a lack of histidine and its derivatives might imply an increased risk of caries.