Enhanced collagenase activity in diabetic rat gingiva: in vitro and in vivo evidence.

Gingiva from alloxan and streptozotocin-diabetic rats exhibited markedly enhanced collagenolytic activity in tissue culture. This effect was eliminated by puromycin or by repeated freeze-thawing of the tissue prior to incubation. Soluble extracts of the diabetic gingiva in situ were found to contain breakdown products of collagen similar in size to the reaction products generated by tissue collagenase. These fragments were not detected in the control tissue. This study indicates that experimental diabetes stimulates the synthesis of gingival collagenase in culture and that a similar effect occurs in vivo.