sumptive therapeutic effect of chlorhexidine digluconate in a population with untreated gingivitis and presence of abundant calculus. SETTING AND STUDY DESIGN: Sixty subjects (ෂ mean Despite the preventive role of chlorhexidine in the devel-CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there was a significant opment of gingivitis, the therapeutic potential of this agent effect of chlorhexidine on gingivitis, although the effect in long-standing, untreated, well-established gingivitis and may be too limited to assure prognostic benefits in the in the presence of dental calculus has not been explored. prevention of future disease progression.The potential compatibility of gingival tissue with the presence of large amounts of plaque and calculus was suggested in some of the epidemiological studies on Asian popu-

fGingis al crei luiar tluld (GCFI has been higlily impitcated aS a pesnising mcdinun to used for early identification of peniodontal destrucion and for monitonng treatment icsponse. Mslst commnoly. the inutial CT(F samplc (static GfiF sGCFt is collected for analysis, while the subsequellt nofi sample (ffuCF) has bc-cn utiliezd as an allernativse The nni of this stildv was tce insestigate the solume and the clastrsc acliVste. lesels in s(CCF and fGCF collected (tont subjecLs with sarilUs perlo tirnal stacus. The folios iupg diilccnt categones of sites were investigated: hcalthy sites from healthy HI, gingisitis (H-C) and enoodontitis sunjicts (II-P); gingivitis stics film gingiitis (G-G) and pefirsliiilti S sulbjects 'C-P) atd pef itidntitis sites from periodlonilu.s subjects (P-PF. The samples were collected bv placing a paper strip inside the gingisal stilcus / pocket for 30s The fGCF samplcs werc taken ciiher i inin (fGCFI) vir 5 min ifOCFi) followsing the sGCF collcction. The voltinec of each samplc was dctcrminctd by Pcrilxonz 6(01. The total elastase activities in supernatants wcrc analyzcd with a molccular wcighi substiatc specific Ior granulocyic clastase (S-2484). Both meant GCF volume and total elnstase acus iiy lesels from pcno-uontitis subjects siar significanily higher than those Iroin healthy or gingivitis subjects (p 0.05)i xN signfiesnt difference was found beiween sGCF and fGCF volume, exccpt for loser fGCFl solume lirom H-H sites(p < 0.001). The elastase actisvity levels in fGCF sanmpico swere significandy less than those in sOCF samples, except the fGCF5 samples from G-G , H-P. G-P, and P-P sites (p (>) ()5)IIhpev indicate that the GCF solure and elasiae activitN levels ate related to penodontal statiixs The dsnarnic clhanges if GCFgrannuiccye elastase actvity ma tetlect ie ipetic llt restutrn it suFjesis wiith Neriodontal diseases. This sIunds sas supporctd Its th C RCC frart 11715A 3 Thie Unisci slts)I Hc)nF Ki nu Dynamic activiur of gingisal cresiculaa tIuLd elastase itt subjects sitlu adult periodounits.