Changes in Biomarkers after Initial Periodontal Treatment in Gingival Crevicular Fluid from Patients with Chronic Periodontitis Presenting with Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth

Calcium channel blocker-induced gingival overgrowth (CCB-GO) is increasing in elderly patients who have been prescribed medication for hypertension for years. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the comprehensive protein expression levels of candidate biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from CCB-GO patients. Eleven GO patients (10 males and one female, mean ± SD: age: 64.4 ± 14.0 years) who had been systemically prescribed CCBs, either amlodipine or nifedipine, for hypertension for at least 12 months were recruited. Before (baseline) and 4 weeks after initial periodontal treatments, subgingival plaque and GCF samples were taken from two sites per patient: sites affected by CCB-GO and chronic periodontitis. Measurement of clinical parameters and quantitative analysis of periodontopathic bacteria using real-time PCR were performed. Biomarkers/cytokines in GCF were examined using multiplex bead immunoassays. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the collected data between groups. The correlations between pairs of biomarkers were assessed using the Spearman correlation relationship. Levels of two of the 14 biomarkers, interleukin (IL)-1β and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, were significantly decreased in CCB-GO sites after initial periodontal therapy. The intragroup comparison Corresponding author.