title: Matrix metalloproteinase levels in children with aggressive periodontitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of host-derived proteinases reported to mediate multiple functions associated with periodontal destruction and inflammation. Most of the existing data have been gathered from adults with chronic periodontitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the MMP levels in a cohort of African American children with and without aggressive periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected in a cohort of 44 African American children, 7 to 19 years of age, with and without aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and compared to healthy unrelated children and to adults with chronic periodontitis (CP). GCF volume was determined with a calibrated gingival fluid meter. The samples were assayed for MMP-1, -2, -3, -8, -9, -12, and -13 using fluorimetric substrates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MMP levels from diseased sites in the subjects with AgP were statistically higher (P <0.05) in almost all instances than those associated with the unrelated controls or with the subjects with CP. MMP-8 was significantly elevated in the diseased sites of the children with AgP relative to non-diseased sites in the same children (P = 0.002), as well as the siblings, non-diseased controls, and subjects with CP (P < or =0.0001). There was no positive correlation between probing depth and any MMP level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP levels were elevated in AgP sites relative to non-diseased sites in the same subjects, in siblings, and in unrelated controls. MMPs associated with the AgP sites in children were generally elevated compared to an adult cohort with a history of CP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Barnett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alfant
authors.forename: Luciana M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Shaddox
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tobler
authors.forename: Ingvar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Magnusson
authors.forename: Ikramuddin
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aukhil
authors.forename: Clay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000201:enzymology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases