Serum matrix metalloproteinases and tympanosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate levels of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, and of their tissue inhibitor (i.e. tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase 1), in the serum of patients with tympanosclerosis.


METHODS
We included 40 patients (age range 13-63 years) who had undergone surgery in the ENT department of Izmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital between 2002 and 2007. Twenty had uncomplicated chronic otitis media and 20 had tympanosclerosis. We also included as the control group 20 individuals with no history of previous otic complaints or systemic or infectious disease. Serum levels of serum matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and of tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase 1 were measured in all subjects and compared.


RESULTS
Significantly higher levels of serum matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 were found in the tympanosclerosis group, compared with the chronic otitis media and control groups. There was no statistically significant difference in tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase 1 level between the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Tympanosclerosis surgery has poor success rates, since the pathological process is still active. We suggest that high levels of matrix metalloproteinases may play a role in the continuation of the disease process.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Atatürk Research and Training Hospital, Ministry of Health, Izmir, Turkey. drhaleaslan@gmail.com
H
H
Aslan
M Sinan
MS
Başoğlu
B
B
Sentürk
C
C
Ozbay
H
H
Katilmiş
S
S
Oztürkcan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000097:blood*; D012598:Sclerosis; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9