Effects of gold salts on experimental periodontitis. I. Histometric evaluation of periodontal destruction.

Systemic administration of gold salts for treatment of arthritis is thought to limit tissue destruction through alteration of inflammatory cell function. The present study ascertained if gold salts could modify the tissue destruction associated with an experimental marginal periodontitis. Therapeutic levels of serum gold salts were established in four squirrel monkeys (experimental) by intramuscular injection of Myochrisine (gold sodium thiomalate 25 mg/ml) at 5 mg/kg/body weight at 4-day intervals for 12 days. Marginal periodontitis was then induced around mandibular bicuspids by tying plaque retentive ligatures at the gingival margins. Periodontitis was induced around corresponding teeth in four control animals which had not received gold salts. Serum levels of gold salts were maintained in experimental animals, and all animals were killed 2 weeks after induction of periodontitis. Progression of periodontitis was evaluated histometrically on step-serial sections, and the results analyzed statistically. Specimens from gold-receiving animals had significantly smaller areas of infiltrated supracrestal connective tissue, and less loss of connective tissue attachment and coronal alveolar bone. Quantitation of total plaque around the ligatures showed no differences; however, there was less plaque located apical to the ligatures in gold-receiving specimens. Although the study design did not permit identification of the relative importance of cellular or microbial factors, it was concluded that administration of systemic gold salts was associated with significantly less periodontal destruction.