The relationship between mouthrinse matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, 8, 13) and albumin levels with the degree of oral mucositis in allogeneic stem cell transplant patients.

Our aim was to examine the relationship between mouthrinse matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and whole albumin levels (AL) relative to oral mucositis (OM) in allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) patients. Mouthrinse vertebrate collagenase levels are positively correlated with connective tissue destruction (CTD) in periodontitis and may also be involved in CTD associated with OM. Increases in salivary AL have been noted prior to OM onset and may serve as a predictive tool for OM and as a positive control in this study. A total of 23 alloSCT patients were visited eight times over 4 weeks following the transplant. OM was scored via a previously validated examiner-based ordinal system. Mouthrinse samples were collected and analyzed for MMP-1, 8, 13 (members of the vertebrate collagenase group) and AL. No significant correlation was found for MMP levels relative to OM scores. AL were positively and significantly associated with OM scores (P<0.001). MMP levels may not be an important factor in OM development and severity; however, mouthrinse AL may serve as a more objective measure of OM development and severity.