Posted on 11/15/2005 9:25:33 PM PST by ncountylee
PORTUGUESE scientists said today they had developed an experimental vaccine which has protected rats against tooth decay and could pave the way for a version which works on humans.
"What we found is that the animals which were vaccinated with this protein developed much smaller lesions than the control group which had not been vaccinated," said Paula Ferreira, one of three Oporto University researchers who worked on the vaccine.
"There is still a long road to travel (for a human version). Before that experimental models which are closer to man need to be tested, namely in monkeys, and for that financing is needed," she told Lisbon-based TSF radio.
Rats were used to test the experimental vaccine because the type of tooth decay they develop is similar to that which occurs in humans, she said.
The three scientists have already patented the vaccine in Portugal and are working on doing so in the United States where they are also seeking funding to further their research, Ms Ferreira said.
Tooth decay, or cavities, is one of the most common health complaints in the world. It is caused when acids produced by bacteria that are normally present in the mouth eat away at a tooth.
Researchers in various countries have sought to develop a vaccine which would eliminate the bacteria that creates this acid from the mouth in order to prevent tooth decay from forming.
Just what we needed: RATs without tooth decay.
Hope for the Meth Heads.
Nope - with them it is not the cavities which do them in but gum disease, IIRC.
Yes, eventually.
If made available, it would adversely affect the economic stability of the country. Imagine all those dentists out of work!
How would it put dentists out of work?
I think the ADA and every other medical lobby will quash this thing before it ever even sees human trials.
Lobby? Considering that is a political entity, what would they have to do with private research? And if they did have that power, why did this research even get started?
In fact, I remember reading about an identical vaccine 25 years ago that had already been successfully tested on human subjects. Funny how it never came about.
That's because is didn't work. The problem isn't so much eliminating the offending bacteria, its preventing excessive growth of other, more harmful bacteria that would take its place.
For God's sake use your head before posting.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.