Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and its tissue inhibitor-1 in the serum and synovial fluid of osteoarthritis

Abstract EN

Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and its tissue inhibitor in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) of articular cartilage in osteoarthritic joints.

Materials & Methods: Serum samples were collected from 20 knee OA patients and 10 healthy individuals as controls.

Synovial fluid samples were aspirated from only 10 patients who had knee effusion.

MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were determined in all serum and synovial fluid samples using quantitative ELISA.

Results: The level of serum MMP-9 was higher in OA patients than in controls with a significant difference (496.7± 164.2, 362±92.2, p<0.05).

The serum level of TIMP-1 was higher in patients than controls but the difference was not significant (497±56.9, 461.4±54.2, p>0.05).

Moreover, levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were significantly higher in the synovial fluid samples than in serum from the same group of patients (413±86.8, 365±76.8, p<0.05- 489.1±47.5, 442.2±57.2, p<0.01).

In addition, we found no relation between disease severity and levels of MMP-9 and its inhibitor neither in synovial fluid not serum.

Conclusion: High levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 can be potential catabolic markers for cartilage destruction and may explain a part of the pathophysiology of joint impairment in OA