Relationship of the substance P to indicators of host response in human gingival crevicular fluid

Background: The substance P (SP) level in human gingival crevicular fluid ( GCF) was studied in relation to clinical periodontal variables and to vario us indicators of host response in the GCE Methods: GCF was collected from periodontal sites with gingival inflammatio n and shallow or moderately deep pocket in 38 subjects. The total amount of SP and the substances based on host response factors in a 30-s sample were determined by ELISA and enzymatic methods. Results: Significant correlation was found between SP and probing depth (r= 0.637, p<0.001), while correlation was weak between SP and either gingival (r= 0.177, p=0.23) or plaque index (r=0.008, p=0.96). SP also showed signi ficant correlation with the indicators of host response: prostaglandin E-2, aspartate aminotransferase. alkaline phosphatase, myeloperoxidase. interle ukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoa ttractant protein-1 (r=0.434- 0.867, p<0.01-0.001). Conclusion: These results indicate that neuropeptide SP in GCF may have a p otential as an indicator of periodontal inflammation and the host response.