Investigation of Matrix Metalloproteinas Levels in Preeclamptic/Eclamptic Pregnancy

Abstract

The present research was designed to investigate levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and their respective tissue inhibitors, tissue matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) and tissue matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 (TIMP-2), in eclamptic and preeclamptic pregnant women. In this work, undertaken in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine Health Practice and Research Hospital, eclamptic (n=28), preeclamptic (n=28), and healthy pregnant women (n=24) were enrolled and their levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were studied by micro-ELISA method. No statistically meaningful differences were identified between the study groups for MMP-2 (p=0.786). When the ratios of MMP-2 to TIMP-2 of the three groups were examined, again, no statistically meaningful differences were noted (p=0.788). While a meaningful difference was not seen between the preeclamptic and eclamptic groups for MMP-9 and TIMP-1, significantly lower values of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were obtained in both groups upon comparison to the control group (p=0.001 for MMP-9, p<0.000 for TIMP-1). When the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios of the groups were evaluated, a statistically meaningful difference did not exist between women with preeclampsia and controls; however, this ratio was higher among women with eclampsia in comparison to the preeclampsia and control groups and this finding was statistically significantly (p=0.011). Imbalanced levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 could be used as a marker in efforts to predict preeclampsia and especially eclampsia. However, larger clinical studies are needed to reveal these interactions in more detail. © 2023, Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Tip Fakultesi. All rights reserved.