Ankylosing Spondylitis Serum Matrix Metal Proteinase 3 Levels And Meaningful Discussion

Objective To investigate serum matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) level and significance in patients with Ankylosing spondylitis, that may provide new method for judgement of prognosis and therapy effect.Method MMP-3 serum level was tested by ELISA in 175 patients with AS and 95 controls. ESR,CRP,IL-6,TNF-αand sacroiliac joint X-ray were examined at the same time. Result Significantly increased serum level of MMP-3 was found in AS patients as compared to that in healthy controls(P<0.001=. Serum level of MMP-3 after treatment for 1 month was higher than that before treatment(P=0.029). Serum level of MMP-3 after treatment for 1 to 3 years was lower than that before treatment(P=0.001). There was not significant difference in MMP-3 level of AS patients with different clinical manifestations. MMP-3 level was positively correlated with ESR, CRP, BASDAI, IL-6 and TNF-αlevel, but had no obvious corelation with age of onset, the disease course, length of morning stiffness and X-ray grade.Conclution The present results suggest that the level of MMP-3 is high in patients with AS. The level of MMP-3 may be a marker of joint damage. The level of MMP-3 may reflect the disease activity better than ESR and CRP. We can choose MMP-3 as a potentially useful laboratory marker of progression and improvement of disease in AS. The level of MMP-3 can be significantly degraded after long-term regular treatment.