title: Matrix metalloproteinase 2 is associated with changes in steroid hormones in the sera and peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) levels in sera and peritoneal fluids of women with or without endometriosis-associated infertility and to determine whether MMP-2 had correlation with 17beta-E(2) and P in the sera and peritoneal fluids of the patients with endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A women's hospital in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with endometriosis-associated infertility undergoing laparoscopy and 18 women undergoing tubal ligation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera and peritoneal fluids were collected from women with or without endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Matrix metalloproteinase 2, 17beta-E(2), and P concentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control women, the patients with endometriosis had higher MMP-2 levels in their sera and peritoneal fluids. Serum and peritoneal fluid MMP-2 levels were higher in the proliferative phase than in the secretory phase. The level of MMP-2 in the patients was correlated positively with 17beta-E(2) in serum and peritoneal fluid and negatively with P.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrated a correlation between MMP-2 concentrations and steroid hormones in sera and peritoneal fluids of the patients with endometriosis-associated infertility. Estradiol might up-regulate MMP-2, resulting in the formation of endometriosis. Progesterone might down-regulate MMP-2 to inhibit the formation and development of endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China. huanghefg@hotmail.com
authors.forename: He-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Li-Hua
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Jian-Zhong
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Sheng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2