Analysis of human gingival tissue and gingival crevicular fluid beta-glucuronidase activity in specific periodontal diseases

Background: beta -glucuronidase (betaG) is one of the enzymes involved in t he destruction of non-collagenous components of the extracellular matrix. I t is also considered an indicator or predictor of periodontal disease activ ity. The present study was conducted to determine the presence and the leve ls of betaG activity in gingival tissue and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in periodontal disease and health status. The validity of 2 expressions of data, total betaG activity versus betaG concentration, and the correlation s between clinical periodontal status and betaG profile was also evaluated. Methods: betaG activities in gingival tissues and GCF samples from 57 indiv iduals, divided into 3 equal groups of adult periodontitis (AP), early-onse t periodontitis (EOP), and periodontally healthy subjects were spectrophoto metrically examined. Results: Both patient groups had higher betaG levels in both gingiva and GC F than controls. Significant differences were observed among all groups whe n total GCF betaG activities were examined (P <0.05). However, the differen ce between AP and controls was not significant when concentration values we re compared (P >0.05). The highest GCF betaG activity, with both expression s, was detected in EOP group. No absolute correlations between clinical par ameters and betaG activity were observed, except for random correlations in the patient groups with mean total betaG activities. Also GCF/gingiva beta G levels and the 2 expressions did not show absolute correlations. Conclusions: The findings of the present study confirm the relationship bet ween betaG activity and periodontal diseases. The differences in data conce rning GCF total betaG activity and betaG concentration may suggest that the y are not matching measures. Data presentation seems to be an important fac tor in GCF/enzyme profile studies.