Evaluation of alkaline phosphatase in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of patients with periodontitis and healthy individuals

INTRODUCTION: In recent decades, biomarkers have been used to predict the progression of chronic periodontitis. One of these biomarkers is alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Due to limitations of the performed studies, this study was performed to determine the amount of salivary ALP and gingival crevicular fluid in patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with severe chronic periodontitis and 23 healthy individuals referred to the Periodontology Department of Ahvaz Jundishapur School of Dentistry were evaluated in this analytical epidemiological study. Salivary ALP and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were measured using ALP measuring kit and Hitachi device. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) of ALP enzyme was 19.43 (12.5) in GCF of patients with chronic periodontitis and 12 (1.48) in the healthy group, and it was 80.17 (23.9) in the saliva of patients with periodontitis and 24.78 (4.37) units per litre in the healthy group. There was a significant difference in the mean of this enzyme in GCF and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy individuals (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results showed that mean of ALP enzyme is significantly higher in GCV and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis than in healthy individuals. Therefore, it seems that this parameter can be used as a useful biochemical parameter for the diagnosis of periodontal disease.