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.