Calprotectin (MRP 8/14), a cytosolic compound of leucocytes, can serve as a marker for early inflammation in periodontitis. In aggressive periodontitis therapy the adjunctive regimen of Metronidazole combined with Amoxicillin (MA) is well established. Reports mention beneficial effect of the PerioChip (Dexcel, Israel), a slow release device containing chlorhexidine (PC).

Objective: Interrelations between calprotectin-/GCF-levels and the treatment outcome in aggressive periodontitis were longitudinally evaluated.

Methods: 18 patients (mean age: 34 y) received SRP treatment followed by either oral administration of MA or local application of PC in each site ³ 5 mm according to the random assignment. Clinical parameters (API, BoP, Pus, PPD, AL – assessed by Floridaprobe were recorded at baseline (BL) and 3 months after therapy. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was sampled at two to four deepest sites by PerioCol paper for 10 sec and measured by Periotron 6000 as CF flow rate (CFFR). Samples were stored in 200 µl 1% BSA at – 70° C and then eluted by centrifugation for 5 min at 3000 g prior to quantification of calprotectin by ELISA (BMA, Switzerland).

Results: As no significant difference between the treatments was found, data were pooled for both modalities.

	PPD (mm)	AL (mm)
Baseline	6.3 ± 2.3	7.1 ± 2.6
3 months	3.6 ± 1.3	5.5 ± 2.1
p	< 0.001	< 0.001

Correlation:	D PPD/D MRP	CFFR/MRP BL	CFFR/MRP 3 mo
Spearman / Pearson	0.567*	0.772**	0.694**
p	0.014	<0.01	<0.01

	MRP BL ng/ml	MRP 3 mo ng/ml
Bop +	225.4 ± 240.0	44.9 ± 40.1
Bop -	115.3 ± 131.3	24.6 ± 30.1
p	<0.01	0.009

Conclusions: Both treatments improved periodontal conditions in the evaluated deep sites according to the changes in clinical parameters and in GCF/Calprotectin levels. Calprotectin level is strongly correlated with CFFR and change in PPD after 3 months.

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Back to the 81st General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (June 25-28, 2003)

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