摘要：Gingivitis is a disease affecting the gingival tissues, when the gingivitis is not properly treated, it will lead to a destructive of periodontal tissue structure. Periodontitis can cause periodontal tissue destruction and loss of the dental arch, further facial abnormalities and gastrointestinal disorder. Zinc is Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 cofactor. This study aims to prove the relationship between levels of Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 of the Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) and zinc consumption of the Minangkabaunese in West Sumatera, Indonesia. This study involved 60 subjects, consisted of 20 healthy subjects, 20 patients of mild gingivitis and 20 patients of mild periodontitis. Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 level was tested by using ELISA method. Consumption of zinc was measured by using Minangkabau Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Data analysis was performed by means of univariate to describe each variable. Kolmogorov Smirnof Test was used to analyze normal distribution. Pearson correlation was applied to correlate between Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 level and zinc consumption. This study concluded that there was a significant correlation between the levels of matrix metalloprotease-8 and zinc consumption. Relationship between Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 and zinc consumption showed a strong correlation with negative direction (r = -0.865). Supplementation of zinc maybe used as a treatment for periodontal inflammation.
