[Changes of elastase in gingival crevicular fluid after periodontal treatment of adult periodontitis patients].

OBJECTIVE

To examine the changes of elastase in the supernatant (EA-s) and in the pellet (EA-p) after centrifuge in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) before and after periodontal treatment.

METHODS

GCF was sampled with filter paper strips by intra-pocket method to determine EA levels. Forty-three teeth of eight subjects were included. EA-s and EA-p were determined separately using the subtract Meosuc-ala-ala-val-pro-NA.

RESULTS

EA-s per site and per ml, EA-p per site and the ratio of EA-s/EA-p (S/P) decreased significantly after non-surgical periodontal treatment (P < 0.001), while EA-p concentration didn't change (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

GCF-EA-s and EA-p could act as objective parameters to evaluate the effect of periodontal therapy, especially EA-s and S/P, which may be sensitive diagnostic parameters for determining periodontal disease activity.