Effects of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy on Transforming Growth Factor- <i>β</i> 1 Levels in the Gingival Crevicular Fluid

Abstract

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.