Chlorhexidine–protein interactions

The binding of chlorhexidine to proteins in vitro has been shown to involve albumin in both serum and saliva. The binding, which is pH- and concentration-dependent, occurs both to proteins remaining in solution and to proteins precipitated during the reaction. Both reactions are reversible, although that to precipitated protein apparently involves a stronger binding. If the latter can be correlated to the in vivo situation, it is suggested as a possible explanation of the extended retention of chlorhexidine in the mouth despite the rather rapid turnover of saliva.