title: In vivo evaluation of a metronidazole-containing gel for the adjuvant treatment of chronic periodontitis: preliminary results.
abstract: The present study developed an experimental metronidazole-based gel and evaluated its efficacy for the adjuvant treatment of chronic periodontitis. Sixteen patients were randomly allocated into two groups of eight subjects according to the following proposed treatments: (1) scaling and root planing (active control) or (2) scaling and root planing and direct periodontal intrapocket application of 15% metronidazole-based gel in two sites (≥5 mm in depth) (experimental group). Potential changes in the subgingival microbiota were assessed using a DNA Checkerboard method at three proposed times: baseline and following 7 or 30 days of drug administration. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) monitored metronidazole concentrations in the crevicular fluid during treatment. The metronidazole experimental group presented lower bacterial counts than the control group at the three evaluated times (p<0.01 for baseline, p<0.001 for 7 or 30 days) when the target species were analyzed as a pool of bacteria. Samples revealed significantly lower counts 7 days after drug administration compared with baseline or after 30 days (p<0.05). HPLC analysis detected gel 1 h after application. The metronidazole-based gel significantly decreased the total bacterial count at the three evaluated times. Periodontopathogenic species were not different after gel administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n°-Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-904, Brazil.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Miani
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: do Nascimento
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: M J V
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: da Fonseca
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pedrazzi
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058491:Bacterial Load; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005782:Gels; D008795:Metronidazole