Objective: To investigate the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-3 in periodontal tissues of rat periodontitis model at different stages of inflammation of varied severity.
Methods: The periodontal tissues were immunohistochemically stained by antibody of MMP-2 and MMP-3.
Results: MMP-2 and MMP-3 were both strongly positive in gingival epithelia and fibroblasts in periodontal ligament in rat periodontitis model. And chronic periodontitis showed lower expression of MMP-2 and MMP-3 than that of acute gingivitis and acute peridontitis.
Conclusion: The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-3 varies in different stage of periodontitis. MMP-2 and MMP-3 may play an important role in development of periodontitis.