The Study of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Levels in Peritoneal Fluid and Sera of Patients with Endometriosis

【Objective】To estimate matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) levels in peritoneal fluid(PF) and sera of patients with endometriosis in order to investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) on pathogenesis of endometriosis(EMS).【Methods】 PF and sera was obtained from patients with endometriosis(n=30) and from women without endometriosis(n=30);All of these samples were analyzed for MMP-2 and MMP-9 by zymography.【Results】The MMP-9 concentrations were significantly higher in PF of patients with endometriosis compared with those of disease-free controls(P0.01);We did not find differences in MMP-2 of PF between these two groups.Concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in sera did not differ significantly between the two groups(P0.05).【Conclusion】The elevated concentrations of MMP-9 in peritoneal fluid of women with EMS may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.