title: Changes in plasma TIMP-1 levels after resection for primary colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased plasma levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) are associated with poor outcome in colorectal cancer (CRC), however postoperative changes in plasma TIMP-1 levels after resections for CRC have not been thoroughly evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma samples were collected from 45 patients with primary CRC, preoperatively, 2 hours after surgery, and at days 1, 2, 7, 28, 45, 60, 75 and 90 after surgery. TIMP-1 and CEA levels were determined using the ARCHITECT Immunoanalyzer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperatively, the mean (geometric) TIMP-1 level increased and had a maximum level at day 1 (p < 0.0001). The mean TIMP-1 level then declined to a level at day 90 similar to the mean preoperative level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A mean decline in plasma TIMP-1 levels was not observed within 90 days. However, individual significant reductions of plasma TIMP-1 levels did occur within 28-60 days postoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark. frederiksen@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frederiksen
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Lomholt
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Dowell
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Blankenstein
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brünner
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Nielsen