title: Elastase and metalloproteinase-9 concentrations in saliva in patients with chronic periodontitis.
abstract: Elastase and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are two of numerous proteolytic enzymes released by neutrophilic granulocytes in the course of periodontitis. The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of elastase and MMP-9 in saliva in patients with chronic periodontitis compared to healthy individuals. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was employed to determine the concentrations of elastase and MMP-9 in saliva in patients with chronic periodontitis and with pocket depth (PD) ≥ 6 mm and PD < 6 mm, as well as in saliva of healthy individuals. Significantly higher concentrations of elastase and MMP-9 were observed in patients with periodontitis compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.01). Also a significant difference in elastase concentration in saliva was observed between the PD ≥ 4 mm and PD < 6 mm groups and between the PD ≥ 6 mm and control groups, and statistically significant differences in MMP-9 concentrations between the PD ≥ 6 mm and control groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between the PD < 6 mm and control groups for elastase concentrations in saliva as well as between the PD ≥ 6 mm and PD < 6 mm groups, and also between the PD < 6 mm and control groups for MMP-9 concentrations in saliva. Elastase and MMP-9 concentrations in saliva can be considered as biochemical indicators of severity of periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosal Membrane Diseases, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nędzi-Góra
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kostrzewa-Janicka
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosal Membrane Diseases, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Górska
keywords: chronic periodontitis; elastase; metalloproteinase-9