The purposes of this study were to compare and quantify the expression of MMP-3, PGE₂ and IL-6 in the gingival tissues of patients with type2 diabetes mellitus and healthy adults with chronic periodontitis.

Gingival tissue samples were obtained during periodontal surgery or tooth extraction. According to the patient's systemic condition & clinical criteria of gingiva, each gingival sample was devided into three groups. Group 1(n=8) is clinically healthy gingiva without bleeding and no evidence of bone resorption or periodontal pockets, obtained from systemically healthy 8 patients. Group 2(n=8) is inflamed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis. Group 3(n=8) is inflamed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis associated with type 2 DM. Tissue samples were prepared and analyzed by Westernblotting. The quantification of MMP-3, PGE₂ and IL-6 were performed using a densitometer and statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test.

1. The expression levels of MMP-3 were shown highest in group 3 compared to group 1 and 2, and It showed increasing tendency in group 2 and 3.

2. The expressions of PGE₂ and IL-6 were shown increasing tendency in group 2 and 3, and It was highest in group 3.

3. As expressions of MMP-3 were increased, PGE₂ and IL-6 expressions showed increasing tendency in group 3 than group1 and 2, although there were no proportional relationship.

This study demonstrated that the expression levels of MMP-3, PGE₂ and IL-6 will be inflammatory markers of periodonta linflamed tissue and DM. It can be assumed that MMP-3 affect to expressions of PGE₂ and IL-6 in progression of periodontal inflammation with alveolar bone resorption to type 2 DM.