[Cathepsin D in the connective tissue and epithelium of inflammed human gingiva].

The activity of cathepsin D has been determined, as a function of gingival inflammation, in biopsies of human gingivae from 10 patients. The determinations have been performed both in the connective tissue and epithelium after their mechanical separation in cryostat sections. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the cathepsin D specific activity (as a function of either dry weight or DNA) and the degree of gingiva inflammation. These results support the hypothesis of a possible participation of lysosomal enzymes in the destruction of periodontal tissues during gingivitis and periodontitis.