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Original Research Open Access

Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activity by Zinc Lactate and Zinc Acetate

  • 1Division of Chemistry, Department of Biomaterials Science, Ohu University School of Dentistry, Koriyama, Japan
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Corresponding Author

Masatoshi Abe, m-abe@den.ohu-u.ac.jp

Received Date: February 09, 2026

Accepted Date: June 18, 2026

Abstract

Background/Aim: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is considered to be implicated in progression of dental diseases such as dentin caries and erosion. In this study, the effects of some metal salts composed of any of Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+ and either lactate ion or acetate ion on MMP-9 activity were examined.

Materials and Methods: Enzymatic activity of MMP-9 was measured by using a MMP-9 Colorimetric Drug Discovery Kit. Gelatinolysis by MMP-9 was revealed by gelatin zymography using a Gelatin-Zymography Kit.

Results: Enzymatic activity of MMP-9 was found to be inhibited by two zinc salts, zinc lactate (Zn-Lac) and zinc acetate (Zn-Ac). Effect of each zinc salt was concentration-dependent. These two compounds had comparable inhibitory effects, and enzymatic activities of MMP-9 were reduced by approximately 90% at 1 mM. Furthermore, both zinc salts down-regulatedgelatinolysis.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that application of Zn-Lac and Zn-Ac may become a new strategy for preventing progression of dentin caries and erosion.

Keywords

Matrix metalloproteinase-9, Inhibition, Enzymatic activity, Gelatinolysis, Zinc lactate, Zinc acetate, Dentin caries and erosion

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