Background: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 is a central mediator in chronic periodontitis. MMP-8 can be activated by the cooperative action of other MMPs such as MMP-14, reactive oxygen species, and microbial proteases. The aim of this study is to associate the levels, molecular forms, isoenzyme distribution, and degree of activation of MMP-8 and -14, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from patients with progressive periodontitis at baseline and after periodontal therapy.
Methods: In this longitudinal study, GCF samples from active (n = 25) and inactive (n = 25) sites of subjects with periodontitis were screened at baseline for GCF levels of MMP-8 by immunofluorometric assay, of MMP-14 by specific activity assay, and of MPO and TIMP-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MMP-8 and MPO were also measured after periodontal treatment. Molecular forms were determined by immuno-Western blot analyses and subjected to densitometric scanning and statistical analyses.
Results: High MMP-8 and MPO levels and a strong MPO/MMP-8 positive correlation were found in active and inactive sites at baseline. After treatment, decreases in MPO and MMP-8 were seen, except for active sites in which MMP-8 differences were not significant (P <0.05).
Conclusions: We present initial data that show that GCF levels and associations between MPO and MMP-8 are related to progression episodes and treatment responses in patients with chronic periodontitis. Our results suggest an interaction between the MPO oxidative pathway and MMP-8 activation, and this cascade might be useful as a potential biomarker for treatment outcomes.