Post-treatment effects of subantimicrobial dose doxycycline on clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid transforming growth factor-beta1 in severe, generalized chronic periodontitis

Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of 3-month adjunctive subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD) on clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta(1)) levels in chronic periodontitis patients over 12 months.

Thirty-five patients with severe, generalized periodontitis participated in the present randomized, placebo-controlled study. Patients received scaling and root planing (SRP) plus 3 months adjunctive SDD or placebo. Clinical measurements and GCF sampling were performed at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Eleven periodontally healthy subjects served as controls for GCF TGF-beta(1) analysis.

Clinical parameters of both SDD and placebo groups significantly improved during the study (P < 0.0125). SDD group exhibited significantly higher PD reduction at deep sites (baseline PD > or =7 mm) compared with placebo group at 6 months (P < 0.05). In SDD group significantly higher percentage of deep pockets resolved (PD reduction > or =3 mm from baseline) when compared with placebo group at 6 and 9 months (73.4% versus 49.7%; 79.9% versus 50.6%, respectively, P < 0.05). PD reduction > or =4 mm for deep pockets from baseline was also greater in SDD group than placebo at 6 months (53.4% versus 36.3%, P < 0.05). GCF TGF-beta(1) levels of SDD group was significantly higher than baseline (P < 0.0125) and placebo group (P < 0.017) at 3 months.

These results ensure further data for beneficial effects of adjunctive SDD therapy in the management of severe chronic periodontitis.