Can chlorhexidine mouthwash twice daily ameliorate cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth?

Background/purpose: Gingival overgrowth can be induced in patients treated with cyclosporine-A (CsA), an immunosuppressant often used following organ transplantation. A pre-existing rat model designed to mimic CsA-induced gingival overgrowth in humans was used to test the effectiveness of frequent application of a chlorhexidine antiplaque solution in reducing the overgrowth.

Methods: Four groups of rats were fed CsA.