Six-month clinical outcomes of non-surgical periodontal treatment with antibiotics on apoptosis markers in aggressive periodontitis

Objective Extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis are involved in generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP). The aim of this study was to evaluate 6-month clinical outcomes relative to apoptosis of one-stage full-mouth disinfection (OSFMD) and systemic antibiotics (SA) in the treatment of GAgP. Methods Twenty-six patients with GAgP were included in this prospective follow-up intervention study. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected from patients at baseline and 3 and 6 months after periodontal therapy, which consisted of OSFMD and SA (amoxicillin and metronidazole, 500 mg each for 7 days). The levels of p53, caspase-3, TNF-alpha, TRAIL, IL-1 beta, and IL-10 in GCF were measured via ELISA. Results Periodontal parameters were improved at 3 and 6 months compared to baseline (p < 0.05). p53 was decreased up to 6 months (p < 0.05). TRAIL, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 were similar at baseline and 3 and 6 months. Caspase-3 and IL-1 beta were decreased at 3 months (p < 0.05), but similar at 6 months compared to baseline (p > 0.05). Conclusion Although OSFMD plus SA improves clinical periodontal parameters up to 6 months, this treatment protocol differentially regulates the apoptosis markers caspase-3 at 3 months and p53 at 6 months without influencing TRAIL in GCF.