Matrix metalloproteinase 2 is associated with changes in steroid hormones in the sera and peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis

Objective: To determine matrix metalloprotemase 2 (MMP-2) levels in sera and peritoneal fluids of women with or without endometriosis-associated infertility and to determine whether MMP-2 had correlation with 17beta-E-2 and P in the sera and peritoneal fluids of the patients with endometriosis. Design: A case-control study. Setting: A women's hospital in China. Patient(s): Forty patients with endometriosis-associated infertility undergoing laparoscopy and 18 women undergoing tubal ligation. Intervention(s): Sera and peritoneal fluids were collected from women with or without endometriosis. Main Outcome Measure(s): Matrix metalloprotemase 2, 17beta-E-2, and P concentration. Result(s): Compared with the control women, the patients with endometriosis had higher MMP-2 levels in their sera and peritoneal fluids. Serum and peritoneal fluid MMP-2 levels were higher in the proliferative phase than in the secretory phase. The level of MMP-2 in the patients was correlated positively with 17beta-E-2 in serum and peritoneal fluid and negatively with P. Conclusion(s): The results demonstrated a correlation between MMP-2 concentrations and steroid hormones in sera and peritoneal fluids of the patients with endometriosis-associated infertility. Estradiol might up-regulate MMP-2, resulting in the formation of endometriosis. Progesterone might down-regulate MMP-2 to inhibit the formation and development of endometriosis. (Fertil Steril((R)) 2004;81:1235-9. (C)2004 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).