Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of MMP in peritoneal fluids and sera and correlation with peritoneal adhesions

Objective: To assess the presence of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP-1) in peritoneal fluid and serum of subjects with and without adhesions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Academic research centers. Patient(s): Sixty-three patients who underwent abdominal/pelvic surgery. Intervention(s): MMP-1, TIMP-1, and MMP-1-TIMP-1 complex content. Main Outcome Measure(s): ELISA. Result(s): Peritoneal fluids (PF) and sera of subjects with and without peritoneal adhesions contain MMP-1, TIMP-1, and MMP-1-TIMP-1 complex at varying levels with 10- to 100-fold higher TIMP-1 than MMP-1. Compared with serum, PF contains a lower level of MMP-1 in subjects with mild adhesions and without adhesions, higher TIMP-1 in subjects with extensive adhesions, and lower MMP-1-TIMP-1 complex in subjects with moderate adhesions. However, the serum and PF content of MMP-1, TIMP-1, and MMP-1-TIMP-1 complex was not statistically different among subjects with or without adhesions, with the exception of TIMP-1 in PF of subjects with extensive adhesions. MMP-1-TIMP-1 ratio indicates that a major portion of MMP-1 is in complex with TIMP-1. There was no age- or gender-dependent difference in MMP-1 and TIMP-1 content in serum or PF. Conclusion(s): Despite differences in MMP-1 and TIMP-1 levels in serum and PF of subjects with extensive and moderate adhesions, there is no correlation between MMP-1 and TIMP-1, with the exception of higher TIMP-1 in PF of subjects with extensive adhesions.