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Gingival crevicular fluid and serum matrix metalloproteinase-8 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 levels in renal transplant patients undergoing different immunosuppressive therapy.

Emingil G, Afacan B, Tervahartiala T, Töz H, Atilla G, Sorsa T

Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. gemingil@yahoo.com

AIM: We investigated gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels from renal transplant patients receiving cyclosporine-A (CsA) and having gingival overgrowth (GO), from patients receiving CsA therapy and having no GO and patients receiving tacrolimus therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: GCF samples were collected from sites with GO (GO+) and without GO (GO-) in CsA patients having GO; and GO- sites in CsA patients having no GO; sites from tacrolimus, gingivitis and healthy subjects. GCF and serum MMP-8 and TIMP-1 levels were determined by a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: GO+ sites in CsA patients having GO had elevated GCF MMP-8 levels compared with those of CsA patients having no GO, tacrolimus and healthy subjects (p<0.005), but these levels were similar to those of gingivitis. The GCF MMP-8 level was higher in GO+ compared with GO- sites in CsA patients having GO (p<0.05). GCF TIMP-1 levels were similar between groups. Tacrolimus patients had lower GCF MMP-8 levels than gingivitis (p<0.005), but levels similar to the healthy group. CONCLUSION: These results show that CsA and tacrolimus therapy has no significant effect on GCF MMP-8 levels, and gingival inflammation seems to be the main reason for their elevations.

Published 13 February 2008 in J Clin Periodontol, 35(3): 221-9.
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