Expression and significance of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in endometriosis

[Objective] To observe the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9(MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases-1(TIMP-1) in endometriosis,and study the possible role of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.Methods: Expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in 35 normal endometrium as well as 35 ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium in endometriosis(16 nonfertile patients and 19 patients who had been pregnant) were detected by immunohistochemistry and the results were analyzed with SPSS11.0 statistical solfware.[Results] ①The expression level of MMP-9 in the ectopic endometriotic tissues was significantly higher than those in the eutopic endometrium and normal endometrium(P both (0.05)).② Theexpression level of TIMP-1 in the ectopic endometriotic tissues was significantly lower than those in the eutopic endometrium and normal endometrium(P0.05).③ The gray scale ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in the ectopic endometriotic tissues was significantly lower than those in the eutopic endometrium and normal endometrium (P0.05).④In the ectopic and eutopic endometriotic tissues and normal endometrium,there had no statistical difference between the nonfertile patients and the patients who had been pregnant in the expression level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and the gray scale ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1(P0.05).[Conclusion]: The excessive expression of MMP-9 in ectopic endometriotic tissues and the disproportion of MMP-9/TIMP-1 makes the ectopic endometriotic tissues to have more invasive ability,which contributes to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.