Serum matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP) TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, and MMP/TIMP ratios in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after 6 months of treatment with methotrexate (MTX).


METHODS
The study group consisted of 30 patients with RA, not treated with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs or corticosteroids, with disease duration < 3 years. Twenty patients with osteoarthritis (OA) served as a control group. Analysis of serum concentrations of MMP and TIMP was based on a quantitative sandwich ELISA.


RESULTS
Serum concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 were higher in untreated patients with early RA than in OA patients (p < 0.001 in all cases). Serum levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 dominated in the serum of RA patients compared with controls (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Ratios of MMP to TIMP were significantly higher in patients with early RA versus controls. Six months' treatment with MTX downregulated serum concentrations of MMP-1 (p < 0.001), MMP-3 (p < 0.001), MMP-9 (p < 0.001), MMP-13 (p < 0.01), and TIMP-1 (p < 0.05) in patients with RA. These changes were accompanied by significantly reduced ratios of MMP to TIMP. MTX treatment decreased markers of RA activity such as the number of painful and swollen joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Disease Activity Score, and C-reactive protein.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with early RA are characterized by high serum concentrations of tissue-degrading metalloproteinases. Therapy with MTX resulted in clinical improvement and reduced serum MMP levels in patients with RA, confirming effectiveness of MTX in patients in early stages of the disease.
Fiedorczyk
Malgorzata
M
Department of Rheumatology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
Klimiuk
Piotr Adrian
PA
Sierakowski
Stanislaw
S
Gindzienska-Sieskiewicz
Ewa
E
Chwiecko
Justyna
J
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D008727:Methotrexate