PMN responses following use of 2 biodegradable GTR membranes

In the present prospective trial, the PMN response following resorbable GTR barrier placement was evaluated in mandibular class II furcation lesions.

In 10 patients with treated chronic periodontitis, we randomly selected the 1st molars in the mandible with buccal degree II furcation involvement for either polylactic-citric-acid-ester (PLA) or glycolide-lactic-copolymer (PGL) GTR membrane therapy. We examined contralateral healthy molar sites as untreated controls. We then evaluated the PMN-derived inflammatory tissue response at baseline, weekly up to 6 weeks post-therapy and at 12 and 24 weeks using GCF myeloperoxidase (MPO), beta-glucuronidase (betaG) and beta-N-acetyl-hexosaminidase (betaNAH).

The enzyme levels increased from baseline to the 6-week examination. After the 6-week reappointment, enzyme levels dropped reaching the baseline scores at both the 12- and 24-week visit. At PGL sites, the enzyme levels decreased earlier. Compared with healthy control sites, the MPO, betaNAH and betaG tests revealed different maximum levels at week 2 and 3 (PGL) and week 4, 5 and 6 (PLA). For both of the barriers the clinical parameters revealed a sustained improvement following therapy.

The release of PMN enzymes following placement of bioabsorbable membranes reflects the early soft tissue healing process. Our results suggest that the PMN response is barrier-dependent with the maximum response occuring at different times. However, the host response did not measureably affect the course of clinical healing.