Cytokine (interleukin-1beta) and MMP Levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid After Use of Platelet-rich Fibrin or Connective Tissue Graft in the Treatment of Localized Gingival Recessions

Background And Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in gingival crevicular fluid during the early and late stages of healing in gingival recession sites treated with coronally advanced flap plus platelet-rich fibrin (CAF+PRF) compared with CAF plus connective tissue graft (CAF+CTG).

Material And Methods: Twenty-four nonsmoking patients with Miller Class I or Class II localized gingival recession defects in bilateral sites received treatment with either CAF+PRF (PRF group) or CAF+CTG (CTG group). Gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected at baseline and at 10 d and 1 mo, 3 mo and 6 mo after surgery. The levels of MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and IL-1β in gingival crevicular fluid were measured using a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay and ELISAs.

Results: Gingival crevicular fluid levels of IL-1β were significantly elevated in the CTG group at 10 d compared with baseline (p < 0.05). At 10 d after surgery, the levels of TIMP-1 in gingival crevicular fluid showed a significant decrease in the CTG group compared with the PRF group (p < 0.05). The levels of IL-1β and MMP-8 in gingival crevicular fluid were significantly lower in the PRF group than in the CTG group at 10 d (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in all clinical and biochemical parameters at 1, 3, and 6 mo between study groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Root coverage with CAF+PRF has a significant effect on increasing gingival crevicular fluid TIMP-1 levels and suppressing gingival crevicular fluid MMP-8 and IL-β levels at 10 d. Gingival crevicular fluid levels of MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and IL-1β did not seem to be affected by the technique at later phases of wound healing.