Salivary MMP-13 gender differences in periodontitis: A cross-sectional study from Sweden

We investigated serum and saliva concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases, MMP‐8, MMP‐9, and MMP‐13, and their tissue inhibitor TIMP‐1, in a group of patients with and without periodontitis from Sweden. The hypothesis was that these biomarkers are higher in the periodontitis patients. Ninety patients participated in this cross‐sectional study. Fifty‐one patients had periodontitis whereas 39 were periodontally healthy. Saliva and serum samples were analyzed with immunofluorometric, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and western blot. Results were statistically analyzed with independent t test, Mann–Whitney U test, Bonferroni corrections, and regression analyses. MMP‐13 was not detected in serum, but in saliva, higher values were found among the periodontally healthy compared with periodontitis subjects (0.32 ± 0.26 vs. 0.21 ± 0.23 ng/ml, p