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[A study on tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) during pregnancy and at delivery]
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University.
Metabolism of collagen in the fetal membrane has been proposed as one of causes of premature rupture of the membrane (PROM). It mainly depends on the activities of MMPs and their inhibitor, TIMP. The concentration and localization of TIMP in various body fluids and the tissue of perinatal patients was explored. 1. The TIMP concentration in maternal serum did not show any significant changes during pregnancy, and it was not significantly different from that in non-pregnant serum. In cases of PROM (n = 9) and premature labor (n = 4), there were no differences in the serum levels of TIMP. 2. The mean TIMP value in amniotic fluid was 754 +/- 325 ng/ml. There was no correlation between TIMP and gestational weeks. 3. The level of TIMP at delivery in amniotic fluid was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that in maternal serum and umbilical serum, but it was not detected in neonatal first voided urine. 4. The mean TIMP values in amnion and chorion were 84 +/- 53 and 48 +/- 22 ng/mg protein respectively, but it was not detected in fetal lung or skin. 5. TIMP was clearly localized in fetal membrane, amniotic epithelium, amniotic fibroblast, chorionic epithelium and decidua, as detected by the immunohistochemical method. These results indicate that the higher level of TIMP in amniotic fluid originates in the fetal membrane.
Metabolism of collagen in the fetal membrane has been proposed as one of causes of premature rupture of the membrane (PROM). It mainly depends on the activities of MMPs and their inhibitor, TIMP. The concentration and localization of TIMP in various body fluids and the tissue of perinatal patients was explored. 1. The TIMP concentration in maternal serum did not show any significant changes during pregnancy, and it was not significantly different from that in non-pregnant serum. In cases of PROM (n = 9) and premature labor (n = 4), there were no differences in the serum levels of TIMP. 2. The mean TIMP value in amniotic fluid was 754 +/- 325 ng/ml. There was no correlation between TIMP and gestational weeks. 3. The level of TIMP at delivery in amniotic fluid was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that in maternal serum and umbilical serum, but it was not detected in neonatal first voided urine. 4. The mean TIMP values in amnion and chorion were 84 +/- 53 and 48 +/- 22 ng/mg protein respectively, but it was not detected in fetal lung or skin. 5. TIMP was clearly localized in fetal membrane, amniotic epithelium, amniotic fibroblast, chorionic epithelium and decidua, as detected by the immunohistochemical method. These results indicate that the higher level of TIMP in amniotic fluid originates in the fetal membrane.