title: Effect of polylactide/glycolide (PLGA) membranes loaded with metronidazole on periodontal regeneration following guided tissue regeneration in dogs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bioabsorbable membranes have been successfully used for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) and local delivery systems because they are biocompatible and do not require second surgery for removal. Several studies have demonstrated that metronidazole, when applied topically, produced immediate effects on microbiological and clinical parameters, most notably a reduction in probing depth and loss of attachment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the regenerative potential of a metronidazole-loaded biodegradable (polylactide/glycolide) (PLGA) GTR membrane in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six male adult dogs with 36 created osseous defects were enrolled. Bilateral dehiscence type defects in 5 mm diameter were created at buccal aspect of the alveolar bone in maxillary premolar teeth. After full thickness flap elevation, exposed root surfaces were thoroughly planed. In the experimental sites, PLGA membranes with or without metronidazole were fitted and placed over the defects. On the control defects only root planing was performed. Gingival flaps were replaced slightly coronal to the cemento-enamel junction. Animals were sacrificed at 60 days. The histometric analysis was evaluated with the following parameters: defect height (DH), apical extension of junctional epithelium (AEJE), new cementum height (NCH), new bone height (NBH), and new gingival connective tissue height (NCTH).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative clinical healing was similar in the 3 groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 experimental groups in any parameters. Statistically significant differences were observed for AEJE, NCH, NBH, and NCTH in experimental groups when compared with the controls. Statistically significantly greater NCH, NBH, and NCTH were seen in the experimental groups than the controls and control defects showed longer AEJE than the experimental defects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that PLGA membranes with and without metronidazole may have a beneficial effect on periodontal regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Gazi University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Ankara, Turkey. bulkurtis@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kurtiş
authors.forename: Berrin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Unsal
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cetiner
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gültekin
authors.forename: Gönen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ozcan
authors.forename: Nevin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Celebi
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ocak
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004285:Dogs; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal / Q000379:methods*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010519:Periodontium / Q000502:physiology; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers; D008795:Metronidazole; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid