ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: ß-glucuronidase (ßG) is one of the enzymes involved in the destruction of non-collagenous components of the extracellular matrix. It is also considered an indicator or predictor of periodontal disease activity. The present study was conducted to determine the presence and the levels of ßG activity in gingival tissue and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in periodontal disease and health status. The validity of 2 expressions of data, total ßG activity versus ßG concentration, and the correlations between clinical periodontal status and ßG profile was also evaluated. METHODS: ßG activities in gingival tissues and GCF samples from 57 individuals, divided into 3 equal groups of adult periodontitis (AP), early-onset periodontitis (EOP), and periodontally healthy subjects were spectrophotometrically examined. RESULTS: Both patient groups had higher ßG levels in both gingiva and GCF than controls. Significant differences were observed among all groups when total GCF ßG activities were examined (P <0.05). However, the difference between AP and controls was not significant when concentration values were compared (P >0.05). The highest GCF ßG activity, with both expressions, was detected in EOP group. No absolute correlations between clinical parameters and ßG activity were observed, except for random correlations in the patient groups with mean total ßG activities. Also GCF/gingiva ßG levels and the 2 expressions did not show absolute correlations. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study confirm the relationship between ßG activity and periodontal diseases. The differences in data concerning GCF total ßG activity and ßG concentration may suggest that they are not matching measures. Data presentation seems to be an important factor in GCF/enzyme profile studies. J Periodontol 2000;71:618-624.
