Journal of Dental Research, Vol 65, 1420-1423, Copyright © 1986 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Metronidazole concentrations in human plasma, saliva, and gingival crevice fluid after a single dose
M. A. Van Oosten, F. J. Notten and F. H. Mikx
Metronidazole concentrations were estimated in four human volunteers after
a single dose of 750 mg taken orally. Samples of blood, saliva, and
gingival crevice fluid were collected before intake and during the
following 24 hours. The concentrations of metronidazole in plasma and
saliva were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The
concentrations in gingival fluid were estimated by a capillary
agar-diffusion assay. The results of the metronidazole measurements as
obtained by both methods were significantly correlated. The peak
concentrations of metronidazole in plasma and saliva were in the same
range, 8.7-13.8 micrograms/mL, and similar concentrations were found in the
gingival fluid samples. It is concluded that metronidazole taken orally has
similar pharmacokinetics in both saliva and plasma, and that a single oral
dose of 750 mg metronidazole leads to a concentration of the drug in the
gingival crevice fluid that exceeds the minimal inhibitory concentration
for most anaerobic oral micro-organisms.
