[Expression of adiponectin in non-small cell lung cancer and its relationship with MMP-9 and angiogenesis]

To explore the expression of adiponectin and its relationship with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue.

A total of 87 samples of NSCLC and 10 samples of normal lung tissue were collected for detection of adiponectin and MMP-9 expression by immunohistochemical method. Anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody against endothelial marker was used to evaluate microvessel density (MVD).

The positive rate for adiponectin in NSCLC (49.43%) was significantly lower than that in normal lung tissues (90.00%) while for MMP-9 in NSCLC (59.77%) was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissues (10.00%, P<0.05); MVD in NSCLC (14.58 ± 0.67) was higher than that in normal lung tissues [(0.80 ± 0.12), P<0.05]. In NSCLC, the positive rates of adiponectin and MMP-9 were varied in groups with different lymph node metastasis, tumor size and clinical stage (P<0.05). Meanwhile, MVD value in NSCLC with or without lymph node metastasis was significantly different. There was a negative correlation between adiponectin level and CD34 (MVD) or MMP-9 level (r=-0.22 or r=-0.55, respectively, P<0.05). On the contrary, MMP-9 was positively correlated with MVD (r=0.21, P<0.05).

The decreased expression of adiponectin might be related to the development of NSCLC through negative regulation of MMP-9 expression.
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