There are evidence based reports on the alteration of salivary pH with severity of periodontal disease. Please enlighten me as to whether it also holds true for GCF?
You are right. The altered pH (alkaline) of the saliva initiates gingivitis. Progressive gingivitis can further alter the pH of GCF!!
Among the several salivary components, urea is an organic compound that represents the final product of the human catabolism of proteins. The hydrolysis of urea by bacterial urease enzymes generates ammonia and CO2, and is considered a major pathway for alkali production in the oral cavity. In addition, ammonia is potentially cytotoxic for the periodontal tissues. Ammonia can increase the permeability of the sulcular epithelium to other antigenic and toxic substances, thereby playing a fundamental role in the initiation of gingivitis.
The presence of the Alkaline phosphatase (ALP, indicator of bone formation) in the saliva and in the gingival crevicular fluid is usually indicative of inflammation and/or destruction of the periodontal tissues. The level of ALP is correlates with the severity of the periodontal disease.
To expand on Dr. Menezes response, a major factor in periodontal disease development and progression is proteolysis by the disease-associated microbiota, Socransky's 'orange/red' group of bacteria. The bacteria metabolize mostly plasma proteins, especially albumin which is by far the major protein in gingival crevicular fluid and blood plasma. The proteins are degraded to small peptides which are ingested and metabolized anaerobically by the bacteria for energy and growth. During energy formation from amino acids, ammonia is generated and must be removed. Because there is no urea cycle, the sulcus becomes filled with ammonia and more alkaline as it becomes deeper and the bacteria products cannot be flushed out by saliva. See attached paper PubMed:3928721
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