Vaginal matrix metalloproteinase levels in pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and MMP-9 levels in the vaginal secretions of pregnant women with or without asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV).


METHODS
In this study, vaginal levels and molecular forms of MMP-8 and MMP-9 were studied in 36 pregnant women between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation with asymptomatic BV and 41 pregnant women, matched for gestational age, without BV.


RESULTS
Vaginal MMP-8 concentrations were significantly higher (P = .023) in BV-positive women. There was no significant difference in MMP-9 levels between healthy pregnant controls and BV-positive pregnant women. The presence of MMP-8 was confirmed by a 38-kd band on Western blots.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that BV is associated with increased levels of MMP-8 in vaginal fluid. Increased production of collagen-degrading enzymes such as MMP-8 is a possible cause of spontaneous preterm delivery in pregnant women with asymptomatic BV.
Diaz-Cueto
Laura
L
Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, Teaching and Research Program, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department, UMAE en Ginecologia y Obstetricia Luis Castelazo Ayala, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico D F, Mexico.
Cuica-Flores
Adrian
A
Ziga-Cordero
Francisco
F
Ayala-Mendez
Jose Antonio
JA
Tena-Alavez
Gilberto
G
Dominguez-Lopez
Pablo
P
Cuevas-Antonio
Rocio
R
Arechavaleta-Velasco
Fabian
F
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000032:analysis; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000032:analysis*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000201:enzymology; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000201:enzymology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000201:enzymology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000201:enzymology*
D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9