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Serum matrix metalloproteinase-1 in patients with chronic viral hepatitis
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
Background And Aims:
Previously we found that serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 activity decreased with progression of chronic liver disease. Our objectives in the present study were to observe the change in the serum MMP-1 protein concentration using recently developed specific enzyme immunoassays for MMP-1 and MMP-1 complexed with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and to elucidate the clinical usefulness of the serum MMP-1 test in chronic viral hepatitis. We measured the serum concentrations of MMP-1 and MMP-1/TIMP-1 complex using these immunoassays in 64 patients with histologically characterized chronic viral hepatitis.
Results:
Serum MMP-1 concentration was inversely related to the histological severity of chronic hepatitis (P< 0.0001). It was closely associated with the histological degree of periportal necrosis (P< 0.0001), intralobular necrosis (P< 0.005), portal inflammation (P<0.0001) and liver fibrosis (P< 0.05). The serum concentration of MMP-1/TIMP-1 complex was also related to the histological severity of chronic hepatitis (P< 0.0001). It was associated with the degree of portal inflammation (P< 0.05), but not with the degree of periportal necrosis, intralobular necrosis or liver fibrosis. As serum MMP-1 level was closely associated with the histological degree of necroinflammation, we examined the ability of the serum MMP-1 test to differentiate active and inactive forms of hepatitis with a receiver operating curve. The results were compared with those of serum procollagen type III N-peptide (PIIINP) test. We found that the serum MMP-1 test was superior to the serum PIIINP test in assessing liver necroinflammation.
Conclusions:
In addition to the previously reported changes in enzyme activity, MMP-1 proteins in serum decreased during histological progression of chronic hepatitis. The serum MMP-1 test may be useful clinically to differentiate active and inactive types of hepatitis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.
Insights
Serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 protein levels decrease with chronic hepatitis progression. The serum MMP-1 test effectively differentiates active from inactive hepatitis, outperforming other markers.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Previous research indicated decreasing serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 activity with chronic liver disease progression.
- New enzyme immunoassays allow for precise measurement of serum MMP-1 protein and its complex with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify serum MMP-1 and MMP-1/TIMP-1 complex concentrations in chronic viral hepatitis patients.
- To evaluate the clinical utility of serum MMP-1 testing for assessing disease activity in chronic viral hepatitis.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 64 histologically characterized chronic viral hepatitis patients were analyzed.
- Specific enzyme immunoassays were used to measure MMP-1 and MMP-1/TIMP-1 complex levels.
- Receiver operating curve analysis compared the MMP-1 test with serum procollagen type III N-peptide (PIIINP) for assessing necroinflammation.
Main Results:
- Serum MMP-1 concentration showed a strong inverse correlation with histological severity, including necrosis and inflammation (P<0.0001).
- Serum MMP-1/TIMP-1 complex levels correlated with histological severity and portal inflammation (P<0.05).
- The serum MMP-1 test demonstrated superior ability to differentiate active from inactive hepatitis compared to the serum PIIINP test.
Conclusions:
- Serum MMP-1 protein levels decrease with histological progression of chronic hepatitis.
- The serum MMP-1 test is a valuable clinical tool for distinguishing active from inactive hepatitis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.