The effect of cyclosporin A on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases during the healing of rat molar extraction wounds

Cyclosporin A (CyA) is a cyclic peptide used as an immunosuppressive agent because it can block the synthesis of interleukin-2 and other cytokines pro duced by CD4+ lymphocytes. It is widely used for the prevention of allograf t rejection and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Several side-effects of C yA treatment have been reported, among which are chronic nephrotoxicity, he patotoxicity and neurotoxicity, lymphoproliferative neoplasms, hypertension , thromboembolic complications and gingival overgrowth. Here, using a rat m olar model, it is demonstrated that CyA immunosuppression inhibits the acti vity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the early phase of granulation tissue in the healing dental socket. These observations suggest that CyA m ay interfere with the wound healing following dental extractions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.