Influence of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor batimastat (BB-94) on periodontal bone destruction in Sprague-Dawley rats.
BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading most macromolecules of the extracellular matrix. It has been assumed that an association exists between MMP activity and periodontal disease progression, but the precise role of MMPs in disease progression is still not fully clarified. Batimastat, or BB-94, is a synthetic broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor not previously examined in periodontal research. If there is an association between MMP activity and periodontal disease progression, then batimastat might be expected to reduce the progression of experimental periodontal disease in rats.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of batimastat on periodontal status in healthy Sprague-Dawley (SPRD) rats as well as in rats with ligature-induced experimental periodontal disease.


RESULTS
Periodontal bone destruction was used as a means of evaluating periodontal destruction by measuring periodontal bone loss on defleshed rat jaws and periodontal bone support on radiographs of the jaws. There was significantly more periodontal bone destruction in the groups treated with batimastat than in the placebo and control groups. This accounted for both ligated and non-ligated groups, irrespective of whether periodontal bone loss (p < 0.05) or periodontal bone support (p < 0.05) were measured.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the results of this study did not support the hypothesis that the MMP inhibitor batimastat could reduce the progression of experimental periodontal disease in rats. Instead, significantly increased bone destruction was found in rats treated with batimastat.
Björnsson
Magnús Jón
MJ
Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Alle 20, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
Havemose-Poulsen
Anne
A
Stoltze
Kaj
K
Holmstrup
Palle
P
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D010919:Placebos; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D013876:Thiophenes; D010649:Phenylalanine; C080985:batimastat