title: Can chlorhexidine mouthwash twice daily ameliorate cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gingival overgrowth can be induced in patients treated with cyclosporine-A (CsA), an immunosuppressant often used following organ transplantation. A pre-existing rat model designed to mimic CsA-induced gingival overgrowth in humans was used to test the effectiveness of frequent application of a chlorhexidine antiplaque solution in reducing the overgrowth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four groups of rats were fed CsA. One group received chlorhexidine mouthwash twice a day, the second group received chlorhexidine mouthwash once a day, the third group received chlorhexidine mouthwash every other day, and the fourth group did not receive chlorhexidine mouthwash all. A fifth negative control group received only mineral oil. Overgrowth was determined by measuring the changes in the gingival probing depth and the keratinized gingival width on molars. A gingival histological examination was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rats treated with mouthwash twice daily exhibited decreased probing depths and gingival widths without statistical significance. Histological examination revealed that CsA treatment caused gingival enlargement, whereas chlorhexidine treatment twice a day diminished the enlargement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that chlorhexidine mouthwash used twice daily may reduce the severity of CsA-induced gingival overgrowth. Further research is warranted to determine the optimal dose and treatment regimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Kang-Ning Junior College of Medical Care and Management, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ching-Hwa
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Gau
authors.forename: Hsiao-Pei
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Yu-Tang
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Rebecca Y A
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Martin Ming-Jen
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Earl
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005885:Gingival Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009067:Mouthwashes; D016572:Cyclosporine; D002710:Chlorhexidine