Expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase in endometriosis

Objective To explore the expression of matrix metalloproteinase- 2,matrix metalloproteinase- 9(MMP- 2,MMP- 9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase- 1,- 2(TIMP- 1,TIMP- 2) in serum and peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis(EMs). Methods The levels of MMP- 2,MMP- 9,TIMP- 1 and TIMP- 2 were tested by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in serum and peritoneal fluid of 62 EMs patients and serum of 30 healthy controls. Results The expression levels of MMP- 2 and MMP- 9 in EMs patients were significantly higher than those in control group,while the expression levels of TIMP- 1 and TIMP- 2 were significantly lower than those in control group(P 0. 05). The levels of MMP-2 and MMP- 9 were positively correlated with EMs stage. The levels of MMP- 2 and MMP- 9 in serum of EMs patients were significantly higher than that in peritoneal fluid,but the levels of TIMP- 1 and TIMP- 2 in serum were significantly lower than that of peritoneal fluid(P 0. 05). Conclusion MMP- 2,MMP- 9,TIMP- 1 and TIMP- 2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.