title: Chronic venous leg ulcers are associated with high levels of metalloproteinases-9 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin.
abstract: Venous ulcers are related to dysfunctions in extracellular matrix. Both matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) could play a role in the healing process in patients with chronic venous ulcers. We evaluated the role of MMP-9 and NGAL in the healing process in venous ulceration. We performed an open-label, parallel groups, single clinical center study. Patients with chronic venous leg ulcers represented the test group (Group I), whereas patients without chronic ulcers represented the control group (Group II). In Group I plasma and wound fluid samples were collected at the time of admission, at the time of the surgery, and at the follow-up, while ulcer tissues were taken at the time of the surgery. In Group II, plasma and wound fluid were collected at admission and at the time of the surgery, whereas skin tissues were collected at the time of the surgery. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test was used to evaluate the levels of MMP-9 and NGAL in plasma and wound fluid, whereas Western blot analysis was performed to estimate the expression of MMP-9 and NGAL in tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests revealed significantly higher levels of MMP-9 and NGAL in both plasma and wound fluid of patients with ulcers compared to patients without ulcers (p < 0.01). Moreover, Western blot analysis documented an increased expression of MMP-9 and NGAL in biopsy tissue of patients with ulcers compared to patients without ulcers (p < 0.01). In conclusion MMP-9 and NGAL may correlate with the clinical course of venous ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Science, School of Medicine, University Magna Gracia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. rserra@unicz.it
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buffone
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Molinari
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scaramuzzino
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallelli
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Franciscis
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000201:enzymology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003646:Debridement; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9