Salivary galectin‐7, galectin‐10, and MMP‐9 levels in periodontally healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis patients

Periodontal disease refers to a group of inflammatory conditions affecting gums and supporting tissues (the bone surrounding the tooth root and the ligaments connecting the tooth to this bone). This disease is divided into two main classes. These are gingivitis (reversible form, characterized by inflammation of the gum without loss of supporting tissues) and periodontitis (advanced, irreversible stage marked by destruction of supporting tissues, leading to potential tooth loss if untreated). The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of MMP-9 (an enzyme that plays a major role in tissue remodeling and inflammation, particularly by breaking down collagen and gelatin), galectin-7 (a protein involved in a variety of biological processes such as immune response and wound healing), and galectin-10 (a protein having roles in the immune system) in saliva in relation to periodontal health and disease. Subjects with periodontitis had higher levels of all biomolecules and subjects with gingivitis had higher levels of galectin-10 and MMP-9 compared with individuals with healthy gums, suggesting that these biomolecules could be involved in the inflammation processes of periodontal disease.