The expression of MMP-8 in human dentine caries

Objective To investigating the relationship of and caries by observing the expression of MMP-8 in the dentine caries.Methods 30 third molars with untreated caries were extracted and divided into three groups as enamel caries,superficial caries of dentin and deep caries according to clinical examination and radiography examination,and every group include 10 cases as well as 10 cases of normal third molars teeth as control.The expression of MMP-8 was observed by the way of immunohistochemistry.Results MMP-8 in odontoblast was slightly stained in normal group and weakly positive in enamel caries group.In superficial caries of dentin in which odontoblasts proliferate actively and predentine became thicken,exhibited positive staining,and deepen stained in pulp cell.In the deep caries group,MMP-8 was positive in odontoblast and strong positive in fibroblast,vascular endothelial cells of pulp tissue and in reparative dentine.Conclusion MMMP-8 is involved in the progression of caries.