Periodontal treatment reduces matrix metalloproteinase levels in localized aggressive periodontitis

Abstract

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of host-derived proteinases reported to mediate multiple functions associated with periodontal breakdown and inflammation. High MMP levels in African-American children with localized aggressive periodontitis (LAgP) have been reported previously by the present authors. However, little is known about MMP reductions in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) after therapy. This study aims to evaluate MMP levels in the GCF after treatment of LAgP and to correlate these levels with clinical response.

Methods: GCF samples were collected from 29 African-American individuals diagnosed with LAgP. GCF was collected from one diseased site (probing depth [PD] >4 mm, bleeding on probing [BOP], and clinical attachment level ≥ 2 mm) and one healthy site (PD ≤ 3 mm, no BOP) from each individual at baseline and 3 and 6 months after periodontal treatment, which consisted of full-mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) and systemic antibiotics. The volume of GCF was controlled using a calibrated gingival fluid meter, and levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-12, and MMP-13 were assessed using fluorometric kits.

Results: MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-12, and MMP-13 levels were reduced significantly up to 6 months, comparable to healthy sites at the same point. Significant correlations were noted between MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-12, and MMP-13 levels and percentage of sites with PD >4 mm. MMP-3, MMP-12, and MMP-13 levels also correlated with mean PD of affected sites.

Conclusion: Treatment of LAgP with SRP and systemic antibiotics was effective in reducing local levels of specific MMPs in African-American individuals, which correlated positively with some clinical parameters.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01330719.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this manuscript.

Conflict of Interest:

The authors state that they have no conflict of interests, financial or commercial relationships to declare.

Figures

Figure 1

(A–G). Clinical parameters at baseline and after treatment. PD>4mm = mean % of sites with PD>4mm. Mean PD sites= Mean pocket depth of sites with PD>4mm; Mean PD all= mean PD of all sites; Mean CAL= mean clinical attachment level of affected sites; BoP=bleeding on probing; PD site = mean pocket depth from diseased site sampled for GCF. Values in boxes are represented as Means (horizontal bars) ± Standard deviation (whiskers). BL= baseline (n=29); 3mo 3 months (n=16); 6mo= 6 months (n=22). Statistically significant differences* (One Way ANOVA, p<0.05) are represented as horizontal bars between timepoints by Dunn’s multiple comparisons. # indicates an overall significant difference in ANOVA on ranks.

Figure 2

(A–G). MMP levels at baseline and after treatment. Values (dots: Diseased sites; triangles: Healthy sites) are represented as Means (horizontal bars) ± Standard deviation (whiskers). BL= baseline; 3mo= 3 months; 6mo= 6 months. Statistically significant differences* (Kruskal Wallis test) are represented as horizontal bars between timepoints. Stars above healthy sites represent differences between diseased and healthy sites. P-values are represented as *(p<0.05), **(p<0.01) and ***(p<0.0001). #indicates an overall difference found in ANOVA on ranks (p<0.05).