title: [Usefulness of serum matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) level in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: Matrix metalloproteinase-3 is abundantly expressed in active rheumatoid synovium, and serum level of MMP-3 is a useful marker not only for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis but also for the evaluation of prognosis in the joint destruction. It should be noted, however, that serum MMP-3 may be increased in other inflammatory arthritis, thus its specificity for the diagnosis of early RA may not be high enough. Recent reports indicated that methotrexate or anti-TNF alpha therapy effectively suppressed the serum MMP-3 level during the course of the treatment, whereas corticosteroid didn't. Thus, suppression of serum MMP-3 could explain the discrepancy in the inhibition of bony destruction in RA patients by the therapeutic strategy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University.
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3