Gelatinolytic activity in gingival crevicular fluid from teeth with periapical lesions.

OBJECTIVE

Many matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been associated with periodontal tissue destruction during chronic and apical periodontitis. The aim of this study was to determine gelatinolytic activity in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from teeth with apical lesions and healthy controls.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case-control study.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

After clinical examination, 30 GCF samples were obtained from 20 affected and 20 control teeth. Subjects with periodontal diseases were excluded. Gelatinolytic activity was determined by gelatin zymography and densitometric analysis.

RESULTS

ProMMP-9 levels were significantly increased when compared with controls and were positively correlated with MMP-9 activity in diseased GGF. Similarly, MMP-2 activity, when detected it was exclusively in diseased samples. Additional bands of estimated molecular weights of 60 and 48 kDa were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

MMP-9 and -2 are highly increased in GCF from teeth with periapical lesions. These gelatinases could represent useful markers in monitoring chronic apical periodontitis in GCF.