Background: The present study was conducted to determine the possible effect of naproxen sodium on clinical status and the enzymatic profile of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) when given as adjunct to periodontal treatment.

Methods: A total of 34 subjects with chronic periodontitis were selected and divided into two groups to receive either naproxen sodium or placebo. At baseline, GCF samples were obtained and probing depths (PD), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and gingival bleeding index (GBI) scores were recorded. In the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) group, patients were treated with a protocol consisting of baseline periodontal treatment (scaling, root planing) and naproxen sodium (275 mg) administration daily for 6 weeks. In the placebo group, patients received the same treatment except placebo was given instead of naproxen sodium. At the end of the experimental period, clinical recordings and GCF sampling were repeated. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase-like enzyme activity (ELA) levels were determined in GCF samples by a spectrophotometric method. GCF enzymatic content was calculated both as total enzyme activity and enzyme concentration.

Results: All of the clinical parameters, except mean GBI, were significantly lower in the experimental group (P <0.05). At baseline and at the end of the experimental period, there were no significant differences between the NSAID and placebo groups regarding GCF MPO and ELA levels in either mode of data presentation (P <0.05). However, in the NSAID group, mean ELA concentration (P = 0.002) and mean total ELA (P = 0.003) presented significant decreases with treatment. Also, with treatment, a general reduction in MPO levels was seen; however, this difference was not significant. Although constant and stable correlations between GCF enzyme levels and clinical parameters could not be found, positive and strong correlations were observed between total enzyme activity and enzyme concentrations.

Conclusion: Based on the positive clinical effect and the ELA profile of GCF, it can be suggested that NSAIDs given as an adjunct to baseline periodontal treatment could be beneficial in the outcome of treatment.