Effect of an antibacterial dental varnish on the levels of prostanoids, leukotriene B4, and interleukin-1β in gingival crevicular fluid

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a chlorhexidine/thymol-containing dental varnish on the levels of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), prostaglandin I₂ (PGI₂), leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). The material consisted of 15 adolescents undergoing treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances. Four buccal sites adjacent to bands or brackets and exhibiting a mild chronic gingival inflammation were selected in the upper quadrants of each patient. According to a splitmouth technique, the first and second quadrants were randomly treated with either a varnish (Cervitec^®) containing 1% chlorhexidine diacetate and thymol (CHX/thymol) or a placebo varnish without active ingredients. The varnishes were applied immediately after the baseline registration, and follow-up examinations were carried out after 3, 8, and 30 days. GCF was sampled with the aid of a paper strip and the volume was determined using a Periotron^® 8000. The concentrations of PGE₂, PGI₂, LTB₄, and IL-1β in GCF were assessed using radioimmunoassay and ELISA techniques. The results unveiled statistically significant reductions of PGE₂, PGI₂, and LTB₄ levels in GCF following the active varnish treatment when compared to baseline values. A slight drop in IL-1β levels was registered after both active and placebo varnish applications, but the differences were not significant. The results suggest that treatment with an antibacterial varnish decreases the levels of inflammatory mediators PGE₂, PGI₂, and LTB₄ in gingival crevicular fluid and further support the concept that topical application of a CHX/thymol-containing varnish is beneficial in patients with chronic gingival inflammation.