Abstract:

Matrix metalloproteinases play a fundamental role in tissue physiology, and in host responce and MMP-8 is considered to be indicator of periodontal diseases. This study aims to compare MMP-8 levels in saliva and Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in patients with periodontal health, plaque-induced gingivitis, and periodontitis to determine the potential of MMP-8 as a non-invasive marker for early diagnosis of periodontal disease. 62 individuals have been involved in the study, divided into three groups based on clinical and radiographic criteria – 19 healthy subjects (H), 19 patients with plaque-induced gingivitis (G) and 24 – with periodontitis (P). GCF from 6 sites and saliva were collected respectively in micropipettes and sterile tubes. The volume was determined. MMP-8 concentration was measured using ELISA. We found significant difference between the mean range of concentrations of MMP-8 in saliva in H and patients with G (p = 0.008). We determine MMP-8 in saliva as convenient for differentiation of periodontal health from plaque-induced gingivitis by logistic regression analysis. At the determined cut-off value of the biomarker MMP-8 in saliva – 134 ng/ml, OR = 11.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.082 to 65.605) (p = 0.005), the sensitivity is 57.9%, and the specificity is 89.5%. The established data identify MMP-8 in saliva as a significant marker for the diagnosis of gingivitis. We recommend determining the concentration of salivary MMP-8 as a test that would provide objective data for differentiation plaque-induced gingivitis from periodontal health, based on the determined cut-off value.

Keywords: periodontal diseases, saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, matrix metalloproteinase 8