There is compelling evidence supporting that aMMP-8 but not total or latent MMP-8 plays a direct role in the progressive destruction of the periodontal connective tissue.8, 10, 11, 31On the other hand, hyperglycemia is associated with the progression of periodontitis.32Additionally, the study lends support to the second hypothesis of this study, that the activation of a cascade of oxidative and proteolytic enzymes associated with tissue destruction is linked to this pathologic disease development. This evidence concerns the gene MMP8 and periodontitis.