Extracellular matrix component is degraded by enzymes of thematrix metalloproteinases(MMPs). MMPs are produced by both hemopoietic and structural cells. Increased activity of MMP-3 in periodontium is strongly associated with inflammatory periodontal disease.

The purpose of the present study was to estimate the effect of BMP-7 on regeneration of periodontium. The optical density was measured by microwell plate reader at 450 nm.The difference of the optical density and the relative activity ofMMP-3 according to the concentration were statistically analyzed by one way ANOVA.

The results were as follows:

1.Tetracycline-HCl showed the tendency to inhibit the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration lower than 25µg/ml.

2.Doxycycline-HCl inhibited significantly the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration lower than 100µg/ml.

3.Minocycline-HCl inhibited the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration in the range of 10 to 200µg/ml.

Within the limit of the present study, the above results suggested that bone morphogenetic protein-7 may play a important role in development of periodontium.