Objective: Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-lived, diatomic radical molecule which is involved in host defense or damage. Increased levels of NO and nitric oxide synthase activity is associated with periodontal pathogenesis. The aim of the study was to analyze nitrite levels, a stable end-product of NO oxidation, in peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) of 17 edentulous patients. Methods: Thirty-four mandibular dental implants (DI) were divided into two groups based on their loading, as early-loaded (DI-EL) (n=18) or delayed-loaded (DI-DL) (n=16) according to the confirmation of stability and osseointegration by resonance frequency analysis (Osstell) immediately after surgery, and further into three subgroups based on their inflammatory status [healthy (H), slight inflammation (SI) and moderate/severe inflammation (MSI)]. Clinical parameters (plaque, probing depth, inflammation, bleeding) were recorded and PISF were obtained by paper strips at 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6 and 9 months. Nitrite levels [calculated as total nitrite levels (TN) and nitrite concentration (NC)] were determined spectrophotometrically using Greiss reagent. Results: When inflammatory peri-implant status was concerned, all clinical parameters were lower in H than SI and MSI groups (p<0.05). Mean TN levels were lower in H (0.1421nmol) than SI (0.1485nmol) and MSI groups (0.1728nmol), being significant for MSI (p=0.013). On contrary NC was higher in H than SI (p=0.001) and MSI (p=0.0001). Higher PISF volume for DI-EL in H group was the only difference between DI-EL and DI-DL (p=0.001). There was a negative correlation between TN and NC (p<0.05). Nitrite levels did not present any constant correlations with the clinical parameters. All clinical parameters, PISF volume and TN levels presented a trend of reduction at 1, 3 and 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion: The higher nitrite levels with inflammatory peri-implant conditions may suggest an increase in NO production, and early loading may cause an increase in PISF volume in healthy status.

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