Is the inactivation of dentin proteases by crosslinkers reversible?

Objective Inactivation of dentin proteases by crosslinkers has been suggested as a way to prevent the degradation of dentin collagen in the hybrid layer. However, it is not known if the inhibition is reversible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inactivation effect of various crosslinkers on dentin protease activity over a period of 6 months. Methods Demineralized dentin beams (1 × 2 × 6 mm, n = 10/group) were treated with (1) 1% glutaraldehyde (GA1), (2) 5% glutaraldehyde (GA5), (3) 1% grape seed extract (GS1), (4) 5% grape seed extract (GS5), (5) 10% sumac berry extract (S), (6) 20 μM curcumin (CR20), and (7) 200 μM curcumin (CR200) for 5 min. Untreated beams served as control. The beams were incubated up to 6 months and incubation media were used to analyze solubilized telopeptide (ICTP and CTX) fragments as indicators of MMP- and cathepsin K-mediated degradation after 1, 3 and 6 months of incubation. The relative MMP activity of dentin beams was tested using a generic MMP assay. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA, α = 0.05. Results All treated groups showed significant decrease in CTX release (32.2–469.5 pg/mg dentin) and ICTP (1.8–47.6 ng/mg dentin) fragments during the first month of incubation compared to control (1159 pg/mg and 72.9 ng/mg dentin, respectively). GA5, GS5 and CR200 maintained their inhibitory effect during 6-month incubation. The results were confirmed by dry mass loss and relative MMP activity following 6 months. Significance The results of this study indicate that the long-term effect is both crosslinker and dose dependent.