High levels of metalloproteinase-9 in sites showing tissue destruction of patients with generalized chronic periodontitis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in tissue destruction sites of patients with chronic generalized periodontitis (PP) and to compare them to gingival inflammation sites without tissue destruction, in the same patients (GP) and in patients just with gingivitis (GG). The test group consisted of 24 patients with chronic periodontitis, 7 males and 17 females (mean age 48.2, SD ± 7.4 years), and the control group was formed by 22 subjects, 10 males and 12 females (mean age 47.5 DP ± 9.4), without signs of periodontal destruction. The analyzed clinical parameters were Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Pocket Probing Depth (PPD) and Attachment Level (AL). GCF samples were collected by an intracrevicular washing method. The MMP-9 levels of the samples were analysed by ELISA. The results revealed that the amount of MMP-9 in PP sites (318 ± 304.9) was remarkably higher than in GP sites (106 ± 118) (p < 0.003) and GG sites (110 ± 121) (p < 0.001). No significant difference was noticed between GP and GG sites, in spite of presenting similar GI and PI levels. In conclusion, the high levels of MMP-9 in PP sites suggest that that enzyme may be involved in the complex process of tissue destruction which occurs during the periodontitis.