Effects Of Oxymatrine On Serum Levels Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) And Its Tissue Inhibitor (TIMP-2) In Patients With Chronic Hepatitis And Cirrhosis

Objective: Through observing the effects of oxymatrine on MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the serum of patients with chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis, to discuss its function of preventing and curing liver fibrosis.Methods: In our hospital, from January 2004 to May 2004,serum levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were measured by ELISA from 72 patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis and 20 heathy donors .These patients received oxymatrine daily after 90 days. MMP-2, TIMP-2 and hepatic fibrosis index (HA, LN, VIC) were measured before and after treatment.Results: The serum MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was significantly inceased in severe chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis Child-pugh's group A, B and C,but not the patients with mild and moderate chronic hepatitis, compared with heathy donors.There were no significant differences of the serum MMP-2 and TIMP-2 between the patients with mild and moderate chronic hepatitis . Significant differences were seen between the serum MMP-2 of severe chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis Child-pugh's group B , C , between cirrhosis Child-pugh's group A and C respectively.The serum MMP-2 concentration in the patients with cirrhosis Child-pugh's group C was highest ,having significant differences between other patients respectively. AS the serum ofTIMP-2 was concerned , significant difference was seen in the patients with cirrhosis Child-pugh's group B > C. In the patients with chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis serum MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentration showed good correlation with serum hyaluronate ^ laminin and VI Collagen level respectively.Oxymatrine not only can decrease the serum level of hyaluronate -? Laminin n VI Collagen and the ratio of serum MMP-2 to TIMP-2 in the patients with severe and moderate chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis,but also downregulate the serum MMP-2 in all the patients.However, oxymatrine can slightly upregulate the serum of TIMP-2 in the patients with severe and moderate chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis Child-pugh's group A and B respectively.Conclusions: 1 . Since the serum MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was significantly inceased in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis and has good correlation with hepatic fibrosis index (HA ? L1SU VIC), they can be used to evaluate the degree of hepatic fibrosis. 2. Oxymatrine can decrease the serum level of MMP-2 ^ hyaluronate > Laminin > VI Collagen. Oxymatrine had a certain anti-fibrosis effect on hepatic degeneration.