Journal of Dental Research, Vol 80, 1545-1549, Copyright © 2001 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals

ARTICLES

The effects of MMP inhibitors on human salivary MMP activity and caries progression in rats

M. Sulkala, J. Wahlgren, M. Larmas, T. Sorsa, O. Teronen, T. Salo and L. Tjaderhane
Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland. Merja.Sulkala@oulu.fi

Previous studies suggest that salivary and pulp-derived host enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), may be involved in dentin caries pathogenesis. To study the inhibition of acid-activated human salivary MMPs by non-antimicrobial chemically modified tetracyclines (CMTs), we used a functional activity assay with 125I-labeled gelatin as a substrate. To address the role of MMPs in the progression of fissure caries in vivo, we administered the MMP inhibitors CMT-3 and zoledronate to young rats per os for 7 weeks, 5 days a week. Caries lesions were visualized by Schiff reagent in sagittally sectioned mandibular molars. Marked reduction in gelatinolytic activity of human salivary MMPs was observed with CMT-3. CMT-3 and zoledronate, both alone and in combination, also reduced dentin caries progression in the rats. These results suggest that MMPs have an important role in dentin caries pathogenesis, and that MMP inhibitors may prove to be useful in the prevention of caries progression.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M.R.O. Carrilho, S. Geraldeli, F. Tay, M.F. de Goes, R.M. Carvalho, L. Tjaderhane, A.F. Reis, J. Hebling, A. Mazzoni, L. Breschi, et al. In vivo Preservation of the Hybrid Layer by Chlorhexidine J. Dent. Res., June 1, 2007; 86(6): 529 - 533. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Mazzoni, F. Mannello, F.R. Tay, G.A.M. Tonti, S. Papa, G. Mazzotti, R. Di Lenarda, D.H. Pashley, and L. Breschi Zymographic Analysis and Characterization of MMP-2 and -9 Forms in Human Sound Dentin J. Dent. Res., May 1, 2007; 86(5): 436 - 440. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Chaussain-Miller, F. Fioretti, M. Goldberg, and S. Menashi The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) in Human Caries J. Dent. Res., January 1, 2006; 85(1): 22 - 32. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W.A. Bretz, P.M. Corby, N.J. Schork, M.T. Robinson, M. Coelho, S. Costa, M.R. Melo Filho, R.J. Weyant, and T.C. Hart Longitudinal Analysis of Heritability for Dental Caries Traits J. Dent. Res., November 1, 2005; 84(11): 1047 - 1051. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Hebling, D.H. Pashley, L. Tjaderhane, and F.R. Tay Chlorhexidine Arrests Subclinical Degradation of Dentin Hybrid Layers in vivo J. Dent. Res., August 1, 2005; 84(8): 741 - 746. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Ferrari, P.N. Mason, C. Goracci, D.H. Pashley, and F.R. Tay Collagen Degradation in Endodontically Treated Teeth after Clinical Function J. Dent. Res., May 1, 2004; 83(5): 414 - 419. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Sulkala, M. Larmas, T. Sorsa, T. Salo, and L. Tjaderhane The Localization of Matrix Metalloproteinase-20 (MMP-20, Enamelysin) in Mature Human Teeth J. Dent. Res., September 1, 2002; 81(9): 603 - 607. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]