Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to determined GCF MMP-13 levels in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and aggressive periodontitis (AgP), and compare with gingivitis and healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 80 subjects were divided into 4 study groups: CP (n=20), AgP (n=20), gingivitis (n=20) and healthy (n=20). Probing depth, clinical attachment loss, plaque index and papilla bleeding index and GCF sampling were performed in each subject. GCF MMP-13 levels were analyzed by Western Immunoblotting method. Intergroup comparisons of GCF MMP-13 levels were analyzed by using parametric tests. Statistical analyses were repeated for non-smoker subjects (CP, n=11; AgP, n=15; Gingivitis, n=17; Healthy, n=18). Non-smoker AgP group was divided into two subgroups as localized aggressive periodontitis (LAgP, n=6) and generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP, n=9). Results: Total and active GCF MMP-13 levels of CP group were found to be significantly higher than healthy group (P <0.05). AgP group had elevated total and active GCF MMP-13 levels compared to the healthy group (P >0.05), but only the differences for total GCF MMP-13 levels were significant (P <0.05). Comparisons for the diseased groups revealed that CP group had significantly elevated total GCF MMP-13 levels compared to the other groups (P <0.05). Although active GCF MMP-13 levels of CP group were found to be higher than those of the all diseased groups, the differences did not reach to significance (P >0.05). When the intergroup comparisons were repeated for non-smokers, total and active GCF MMP-13 levels of CP group was significantly higher than healthy, gingivitis and LAgP groups (P <0.05). Conclusion: The present study may suggest that elevated GCF MMP-13 levels in CP patients likely indicate the relevant role of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of CP. GCF MMP-13 levels may serve as a biochemical indicator in distinction between CP and LAgP patients.

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