[Granulocyte elastase levels in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid of subjects with various periodontal conditions].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the granulocyte elastase (EA) levels in saliva and/or gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of subjects with various periodontal conditions and analyze the relation between EA levels in GCF and in saliva.

METHODS

GCF and salivary samples were collected from 17 subjects with healthy periodontium, 14 with gingivitis, 24 with chronic periodontitis (CP) and 24 with aggressive periodontitis (AgP). The EA levels in GCF and saliva were analyzed.

RESULTS

The GCF-EA level in AgP were significantly higher than that in CP (0.485 3 ± 0.225 0 vs. 0.288 4 ± 0.193 1, P<0.01); the levels of EA in saliva of periodontitis patients (AgP and CP) were higher than those of healthy and gingivitis subjects (0.844 5 ± 0.660 6, 0.637 3 ± 0.648 9 vs. 0.031 6 ± 0.020 6, 0.012 2 ± 0.005 8, P<0.001). A positive correlation was found between EA levels in saliva and those in GCF (r=0.660).

CONCLUSION

GCF-EA level may serve as a marker for clinical assessment of periodontal conditions. The measurement of EA levels in saliva may facilitate to overall screen periodontitis patients in epidemiological study or to monitor periodontal conditions in clinical practice.