DYNAMICS OF MMP-8, SRANKL, AND OSTEOCALCIN CONCENTRATIONS IN THE ORAL FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH SECONDARY EDENTULISM AND AFTER PROSTHETIC TREATMENT

This article presents the results of a comprehensive clinical and biochemical study on the role of MMP-8 (matrix metalloproteinase-8), sRANKL (soluble RANK ligand), and osteocalcin in patients with partial secondary edentulism. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in these markers in the oral fluid under different clinical conditions: in healthy volunteers (control group), in patients with secondary edentulism without treatment, and after receiving prosthetic care. The predominance of resorptive processes over bone formation in the alveolar ridge area can be the main cause of premature tooth loss, while inflammatory changes in the periodontal tissues accelerate disease progression. Materials and Methods of the Study. A total of 60 individuals were examined: 20 healthy volunteers (Group 1), 20 patients with partial secondary edentulism without treatment (Group 2), and 20 individuals with secondary edentulism who underwent prosthetic treatment (Group 3). Biochemical analyses were performed using immunoenzymatic methods with appropriate ELISA kits (Matrix Metalloproteinase-8, Human MMP8 ELISA Kit; Hycult Biotech for sRANKL; ThermoFisher for osteocalcin), enabling accurate measurement of marker concentrations in biological fluids. Statistical data processing was carried out using the Statistica 6.0 software package, testing for normality of distribution and applying the Kruskal-Wallis and Whitney-Mann tests. Study Results. The control group (healthy volunteers) showed MMP-8, sRANKL, and osteocalcin levels within physiological norms. In the second group of patients, there was a marked increase in MMP-8 and sRANKL combined with a significant decrease in osteocalcin compared to the control group. This combination of changes indicates intensive osteoclast activity, enhanced by inflammation. The presence of strong correlations was also confirmed: positive between MMP-8 and sRANKL and negative between these markers and osteocalcin. Such correlations suggest that when collagen destruction and bone resorption intensify (high MMP-8 and sRANKL), natural bone formation (osteoblastic activity) is suppressed. In the third group, where patients received comprehensive prosthetic treatment, MMP-8 and sRANKL levels were significantly lower than in the untreated group, while osteocalcin levels almost doubled. Although these changes did not reach the values observed in healthy volunteers, they demonstrate a clear tendency toward reducing inflammatory processes and partially normalizing bone remodeling. The obtained results highlight the potential of simultaneously measuring MMP-8, sRANKL, and osteocalcin for assessing the condition of periodontal tissues and the alveolar bone in patients with secondary edentulism. Decreasing MMP-8 and sRANKL levels against a background of increased osteocalcin confirms the effectiveness of prosthetic therapy and allows for the early detection of positive dynamics in bone remodeling processes. Thus, the approach proposed by the authors allows for the consideration of MMP-8, sRANKL, and osteocalcin as key markers reflecting both inflammatory and reparative processes in the oral cavity under conditions of secondary edentulism. The results obtained underscore the feasibility of employing prosthetic treatment methods to reduce destructive effects on bone tissue and open up new prospects for creating personalized treatment and rehabilitation algorithms for patients who have lost their teeth.