• Kassara Pattamapun, D.D.S., M.S.
• Thanathorn Tungtong
• Thanaphum Osathanon
• Woraphat Liwchulaschan
• Jintakorn Kuvatanasuchati D.D.S., M.S.
• Tussanee Darongsuwan D.D.S., M.S.
• Prasit Pavasant D.D.S., Ph.D.

Objective  The aim of this study is to focus on the effect of bacterial supernate, cultivated from the patients’ periodontal pocket, on the activation of MMP-2 from cultured human gingival fibroblasts.

Materials and methods  Anaerobic bacteria from periodontal pockets were cultivated for 5 days. Bacterial supernate, either heat inactivated or non-heated, was added into the culture medium of human gingival fibroblasts for 48 hours in serum-free condition. The cytotoxicity of the supernate was assayed by MTT, while the level of MMP-2 activation was measured by gelatin zymography. In another experiment, the effect of bacterial supernate was studied in the presence of actinomycin D or cycloheximide for 24 hours.

Results  Both heat inactivated and non-heated bacterial supernate, in the non-toxic levels, were able to activate MMP-2 in a dose dependent manner. This activation can be blocked by cycloheximide but not actinomycin D.

Conclusion  Bacterial supernate from anaerobic bacteria cultivated from periodontal pocket was able to activate MMP-2 secreted from human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. This activation process might be regulated in the translation level.

(CU Dent J 2001;24:1-12)