Levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 in plasma and urine from patients with bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the potential use of plasma and urine levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) in urothelial cancer.


METHODS
TIMP-1 levels were determined in urine and plasma from healthy donors (n=26), patients with bacterial bladder infection (n=24), urothelial bladder adenoma (n=3) or adenocarcinoma (n=7).


RESULTS
Free and total TIMP-1 in plasma were weakly but significantly correlated with age; urinary TIMP-1 was not. A strong correlation between free and total TIMP-1 in plasma was observed, with an average ratio of 0.85. No correlation between total TIMP-1 in urine and plasma was found (p=0.55). No significant differences in free or total TIMP-1 in plasma were found between healthy individuals, patients with cystitis or bladder cancer (p=0.4). Urinary TIMP-1 levels were significantly increased in patients with cystitis (p=0.001). No apparent differences in TIMP-1 levels were found in patients with bladder cancer at different stages.


CONCLUSIONS
Our previous observation of a weak but significant correlation between plasma TIMP-1 and age was confirmed. Likewise, an association between free and total TIMP-1 in plasma with a ratio of 0.85 was established. No correlation between plasma and urine TIMP-1 was found. Measurement of TIMP-1 in plasma and/or urine is apparently not useful for the identification of bladder cancer.
Holten-Andersen
M N
MN
Department of Veterinary Pathology, The Veterinary University, Frederiksberg. mholten@dadlnet.dk
Brünner
N
N
Nielsen
H J
HJ
Christensen
I J
IJ
Sørensen
N Møller
NM
Rasmussen
A S Schrohl
AS
Primdahl
H
H
Orntoft
T
T
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003556:Cystitis / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D003404:Creatinine