Areca quid chewing enhances the expression of salivary matrix metalloproteinase-9.

Abstract

Elevation of MMP-9 may be one of the net effects of AQCS in vivo, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of oral mucosal lesions. Furthermore, the association of MMP-9 expression with neck-lymph-node metastasis may imply a significant role of MMP-9 in the progression of OSCC among patients with a history of AQ use in Taiwan.