Collagenolytic Activity of Gingivae From Alloxan-Diabetic Rats

Gingivae from both control and alloxan-diabetic rats exhibited collagenolytic activity in tissue culture. The alloxan treatment, however, increased the collagenase activity of the cultured tissues. This effect may account for the increased urinary excretion of hydroxyproline, the altered collagen metabolism of gingivae, and the development of osteoporosis of the mandible in alloxan-diabetic rats demonstrated in our laboratory previously.^3,4