The behavior of serum MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, TIMP-1 AND TIMP-2 concentrations in inflammatory bowel diseases

Background: It has been suggested that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, the behavior of serum MMPs and their inhibitors (TIMPs) have scarcely been investigated in the same experimental setting in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: The MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 serum antigen levels were determined in 23 patients with UC, 25 patients with CD and 12 control patients by ELISA technique. The analyzed parameters were also investigated in correlation with disease activity. Statistical analysis with Kruskal-Wallis (nonparametric ANOVA) and Mann-Whitney test was performed. P values of <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Serum antigen concentrations of MMPs and TIMPs were significantly higher in UC and CD compared to controls (median values, ng/ml) (MMP-2: 168.15, 156.21 and 143.58, respectively, P<0.05; MMP-7: 2.55, 3.33 and 1.99, respectively, P<0.01; MMP-9: 1240.1, 1177.0 and 739.58, respectively, P<0.01; TIMP-1: 174.81, 213.88 and 163.96, respectively, P<0.05; TIMP-2: 75.07, 69.96 and 65.00, respectively, P<0.05). Increased serum MMPs and TIMPs levels correlated with UC and CD activity. Conclusions: We demonstrate that serum antigen concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were significantly increased in patients with UC and CD compared to controls. Our results suggest that MMPs and TIMPs may contribute to the inflammatory processes in IBD. The serum MMPs and TIMPs could be potential additional markers for IBD activity.