Effects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on transforming growth factor-β1 levels in the gingival crevicular fluid.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been proposed as an adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planing (SRP). The transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β) has been considered as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, and its levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) could monitor the periodontal repair. This study evaluated the adjunct effect of aPDT compared with SRP, analyzing the TGF-β levels in GCF after nonsurgical and surgical therapy in chronic periodontitis patients.

METHODS

Fifteen patients, presenting bilaterally lower molars with class III furcation lesions, were selected. Each pair of teeth was randomly assigned to a control group (CG) or test group (TG). Initially, SRP was performed in the CG, and SRP + aPDT in the TG. Forty-five days later, flap surgery plus SRP, and flap surgery plus SRP + aPDT were performed in CG and TG, respectively. GCF was collected and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was conducted to determine the amount and concentration of TGF-β in the GCF at baseline, 45 days post-initial therapy, and 21 days after surgery.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences between groups were found in relation to GCF volume 21 days after the surgical procedures (p=0.03) and TGF-β concentration in GCF 45 days post-initial therapy (p=0.04), favoring the TG.

CONCLUSIONS

There was an additional effect of the aPDT protocol compared with SRP for the TGF-β concentration in GCF 45 days after nonsurgical therapy, and for the GCF volume 21 days after surgical therapy.