title: Serum MMP 2 and TIMP 2 in patients with inguinal hernias.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  More than sixty thousand inguinal hernia operations are performed every year in Poland. Despite many years of related research, the exact pathologic mechanism of this condition is still not fully understood. Recent studies suggested a pronounced relationship between the molecular structure of collagen fibers and the activity of metalloproteinases, the enzymes taking part in the degradation of collagen, as well as their tissue inhibitors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study has been established to measure serum levels of the matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and Matrix metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 2 (TIMP-2) in 150 males between the ages of 26 and 70. The control group (CG) consisted of thirty healthy male volunteers of a similar age distribution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results indicate that MMP-2 was highest in the direct hernia group, a statistically very significant elevation (P<0(.) 05) of 1562ng mL(-1) against the CG 684ng mL(-1) . The highest level of TIMP, 78ng mL(-1) , was found in the group with recurrent hernia, against 49(.) 5ng mL(-1) of the CG (statistical significance of P<0(.) 05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MMP-2 and TIMP-2 levels were concurrently elevated only in the recurrent hernia group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patients with inguinal hernia have a statistically significant increase in serum levels of MMP-2. Our finding of the MMP-2 and TIMP-2 distinctly higher in the patients suffering from recurrence of direct inguinal hernia (reflecting a previous surgical failure) may suggest the theory that the extracellular matrix defect lies at the basis of this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic, Oncologic and General Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. smiglo@mp.pl
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smigielski
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brocki
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuzdak
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kołomecki
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D005205:Fascia; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D003094:Collagen; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2