Comparative analysis of gingival crevicular fluid a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 8 levels in health and periodontal disease: A clinic-biochemical study

AIM AND BACKGROUND: A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 8 (ADAM8) is a marker belonging to the class of ADAM family of metalloproteinase which is found to be involved in inflammation and bone resorption in periodontal disease by acting as osteoclast stimulating factor. In several systemic inflammatory diseases, elevated levels of ADAM8 are detected in human serum and other body fluids. Recently, ADAM8 was even detected in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with periodontal diseases. Hence, the aim of the study was to estimate the levels of ADAM8 in GCF of healthy and chronic periodontitis subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Periodontal examination and collection of GCF by the extracrevicular method was performed in 30 subjects selected randomly and categorized into two groups. Group I (healthy, n = 15) and Group II (chronic periodontitis, n = 15). ADAM8 levels in GCF were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: ADAM8 was detected in both Group I and II. Highest mean ADAM8 concentration was obtained for Group II, whereas the lowest concentration was seen in Group I. This suggests that ADAM8 levels increase proportionally with the progression of periodontal disease. There was a significant correlation between ADAM8 levels and clinical parameters in the study group. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that the ADAM8 levels in GCF are positively associated with periodontal disease, which may provide a useful tool in monitoring its progression. Nevertheless, further longitudinal studies are required with larger sample sizes in which ADAM8 levels are progressively estimated and compared to baseline values.