title: Increased local matrix metalloproteinase-8 expression in the periodontal connective tissues of smokers with periodontal disease.
abstract: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 has been associated with the progression of periodontitis, a common inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth, and with other degradative diseases. Tobacco smokers are at high risk of developing periodontitis that may progress more rapidly and respond poorly to treatment. Therefore, MMP-8 expression was determined by immunofluorescence staining in 60 random, computer-selected fields in the excised periodontal tissues of smokers and non-smokers, balanced for age, gender, and periodontal status. Immunofluorescence intensity, representing MMP-8 expression, in the periodontal tissues of smokers (30 fields from 6 subjects, mean 1154+/-124 units) was significantly higher than that in the periodontal tissues of non-smokers (30 fields from 6 subjects, mean 817+/-60 units; p < 0.05). Serum MMP-8 concentrations were measured by ELISA and compared in a larger group of smokers (n = 20) and age- and gender-balanced non-smokers (n = 20). Systemic MMP-8 concentrations in smokers and non-smokers were not significantly different (p > 0.05). A local tobacco-related increase in MMP-8 burden may contribute to periodontal disease progression in tobacco smokers. This finding may also have relevance to other tobacco-induced inflammatory diseases, such as vascular and pulmonary diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, University of Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: K-Z
authors.initials: KZ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hynes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Man
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alsagheer
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D010519:Periodontium / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8