Raised serum matrix metalloproteinases-3 and -9 in early rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract EN

Aim of work : To study whether serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases-3 and -9 (MMP-3 and MMP-9) are specifically increased in early rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA) as compared to osteoarthritis knee patients.

Also, the relation of such rise to different disease activity parameters and to the development of joint damage as detected radiologically.

Methodology : Serum concentration of MMPs (3 and 9) were measured in 30 RA patients with disease duration less than one year and 30 OA knee patients with sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA).

In RA patients, routine laboratory variables and plain x-rays of both hands and feet were assessed in parallel and were correlated with two variables.

Results : Serum concentrations of MMP-3 and MMP-9 were significantly higher in early RA patients as compared to OA patients (p < 0.01).

There were significant correlations between MMP-3 and MMP-9 with swollen joint count (SJC), ESR and CRP.

There were no significant correlations with disease activity score (DAS) or tender joint count (TJC) or Ritchie articular index (RAI).

There were significant correlations between MMP-3 and MMP-9 and joint space narrowing (JSN) score.

But there were no significant correlations with erosions and total sharp score (TSS).

Conclusion : Increased serum levels of MMP-3 and MMP-9 were not specific for RA.

MMP-3 and MMP-9 correlated with other markers of disease activity such as SJC, ESR and CRP.

Of the radiological scores, as disease outcome measures, MMP-3 and MMP-9 correlated with joint space narrowing.

Therefore, MMP-3 and MMP-9 can be used as synovial derived markers of RA activity.