Adsorption of human salivary mucin MG1 onto glow-discharge plasma treated acrylic resin surfaces

It has been suggested that altering the surface properties of acrylic resin material may change the nature of the adsorbed pellicle affecting denture retention and microbial adherence. This study aimed at evaluating the adsorption of salivary high molecular-weight mucins, a major component of denture pellicle, onto modified acrylic resin surfaces. (Poly) methylmethacrylate specimens were treated by glow discharge plasma technique, using hydrophilic 2-Hydroxyethylmethacrylate monomer or oxygen (O(2)) gas and hydrophobic Hexamethyldisiloxane monomer, at different discharge powers. Acrylic samples were incubated with high-molecular weight mucin, MG1 purified from saliva, the adsorbed fractions were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes by slot-blot technique, stained by periodic acid-Schiff and colour intensities were analysed by a colour densitometer. Higher amounts of mucins were adsorbed on all the surfaces modified by glow-discharge plasma treatment. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that glow-discharge plasma altered the surfaces of acrylic resin denture base materials and significantly increased the adsorption of high molecular-weight mucins at varying levels depending on plasma parameters.