Phosphomimetic statherin-derived peptide protects against intrinsic enamel erosion independently of sodium trimetaphosphate.

This in vitro study evaluated the effect of a phosphomimetic statherin-derived peptide (DDSt15), alone or combined with sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP), on the protection against initial enamel erosion. A total of 102 bovine enamel samples (4 × 4 mm2) were prepared and randomly allocated into six groups (n = 17): deionized water (negative control), Elmex Erosion Protection (reference material), 0.94 × 10-5 M DDSt15, and DDSt15 associated with 0.5%, 1.0%, or 3.0% TMP. Samples were treated with the respective solutions for 2 h, followed by acquired enamel pellicle formation for 2 h using pooled stimulated human saliva. Subsequently, specimens were subjected to an erosive challenge with 0.01 M HCl (pH 2.3, 10 s). This protocol was performed daily for 3-d. Demineralization was assessed by percentage surface microhardness change (%SMC) and relative surface reflection intensity (%SRI). %SMC data were analyzed by anova with Tukey's post hoc test, whereas %SRI data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn's post hoc test (p < 0.05). The negative control showed significantly lower protection compared to all other groups. Although DDSt15 combined with TMP improved protection relative to the negative control, no synergistic effect was observed for %SMC or %SRI. DDSt15 demonstrated protective potential against initial enamel erosion, particularly under intrinsic acidic conditions, independently of TMP.