title: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in plasma/serum and urine of women during term and threatened preterm labor: a clinical approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in plasma, serum and urine of women during term and threatened preterm labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma and urine proMMP-9 as well as serum and urine TIMP-1 were evaluated in 60 healthy pregnant women; 20 of them presented in term labor following an uncomplicated pregnancy, 20 of them presented with threatened preterm labor and intact membranes at 24-36 gestational weeks and 20 of them were at 24-40 gestational weeks with no evidence of uterine contractions or other pregnancy complications. Data were analyzed with non-parametric statistical tests and cut-off values were determined with receiver operator characteristic curves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ProMMP-9 values were significantly higher and TIMP-1 values were significantly lower in cases with uterine term or preterm contractions compared to non-labor status; and in cases with preterm contractions that progressed to true preterm labor compared to those in which contractions were arrested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alterations in the concentrations of proMMP-9 and TIMP-1 can be detected in plasma or serum and urine of pregnant women experiencing term or preterm uterine contractions. The altered values of proMMP-9 and TIMP-1 could possibly identify the inevitable progress of preterm contractions to true preterm labor.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Makrakis
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Grigoriou
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kouskouni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vitoratos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salamalekis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chatzoudi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Creatsas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012372:ROC Curve; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9