Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-8 in saliva and serum in polycystic ovary syndrome and association with gingival inflammation

This study aimed to investigate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and tissue inhibitors of MMP-1 (TIMP-1) in saliva and serum samples of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS; n=80) and matched systemically healthy controls (n=45), with varying degrees of gingival inflammation. Salivary levels of MMP-8 and the MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio were significantly elevated in women with PCOS, who also exhibited more gingivitis than systemically healthy women. No major changes were observed in salivary TIMP-1 levels with regard to PCOS. Serum levels of MMP-8 and the MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio were significantly higher in women with PCOS, irrespective of the presence of gingivitis, while there were no differences in TIMP-1 levels. A positive correlation was indicated between probing depth, bleeding on probing, plaque index and salivary or serum MMP-8 levels or MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio in the case of PCOS, while a negative such correlation was revealed for TIMP-1 in systemically healthy women. Increased levels of MMP-8 in saliva and serum seem to be more pronounced in women with PCOS, and potentiated in the presence of gingival inflammation. Alterations in MMP/TIMP system triggered by local and systemic inflammation may be implicated in the pathogenesis of PCOS, or the deterioration of its clinical presentation.