Association of salivary matrix metalloproteinase-8 with metabolic syndrome in women at high GDM risk

Background To assess associations between metabolic syndrome (MetS), insulin resistance, and periodontal diseases with salivary active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) in metabolically high-risk women. Methods A total of 112 women with a history of high gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk were examined 4–6 years postpartum. MetS was defined using National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, and insulin resistance was estimated using HOMA-IR. Oral health was assessed through clinical and radiographic examination, registering dental plaque, bleeding on probing, attachment loss, and number of teeth. Salivary levels of active and total matrix metalloproteinase-8 (tMMP-8) were determined using immunofluorescence assay and ELISA, respectively. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels were also measured. Questionnaires provided information on participants’ oral health habits and symptoms. Results Periodontitis and a high periodontal inflammatory burden index correlated with the tMMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio. The aMMP-8 levels were associated with visible plaque index, HOMA-IR and MetS. The aMMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio correlated with the visible plaque index and it showed a non-significant trend toward higher levels with MetS. The tMMP-8 were associated with HOMA-IR and MetS. Conclusions Elevated tMMP-8 concentrations were associated with periodontal diseases among high-risk women, further supporting the potential role of salivary aMMP-8 as a biomarker of insulin resistance and MetS in this population.