Changes of alpha1-protease inhibitor and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor levels in gingival crevicular fluid before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment.

OBJECTIVES

The possible contribution of alpha1-protease inhibitor (alpha1-PI) and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) to predict the periodontal disease activity was evaluated.

DESIGN

GCF samples were collected at each site before scaling and root planning (SRP), 2 and 4 weeks after SRP.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Forty-one sites that initially bled on probing in 21 patients with moderate to severe periodontitis were studied. Sites were classified according to the presence or absence of bleeding on probing (BOP) at 4 weeks. In GCF alpha1-PI and SLPI were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

A significant decrease was observed in alpha1-PI at 2 and 4 weeks in BOP(-) sites and at 4 weeks in BOP(+) sites. SLPI significantly increased at 2 weeks in BOP(+) site, while SLPI did not significantly differ at both time points in BOP(-) sites and at 4 weeks in BOP(+) sites. GCF alpha1-PI was significantly less at 2 weeks in BOP(-) than in BOP(+) sites.

CONCLUSION

At 2 weeks GCF alpha1-PI may reflect the healing response of the periodontal tissues following nonsurgical periodontal treatment. GCF SLPI levels may be influenced by healing.