title: Matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2, and transforming growth factor beta 1 in the aqueous humor and serum of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study reported in this article was to determine the presence and quantitative differences of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), its tissue inhibitor (TIMP-2) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in the aqueous humor and serum samples of patients with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aqueous humor and serum samples were collected from 32 patients with PEX syndrome (with and without glaucoma) and a control group, who underwent routine cataract surgery. Levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and TGF-β1 were determined by specific immunoassays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMP-2, TIMP-2, and TGF-β1 were identified in aqueous humor and serum samples from all groups of patients. The aqueous and serum samples of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and TGF-β1 showed no significant differences between PEX syndrome and control groups. Serum levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and TGF-β1 were statistically greater than their aqueous levels (P<0.05), except for TIMP-2 levels in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No statistically significant difference among mean MMP-2, TIMP-2, and TGF-β1 levels in both aqueous humor and serum samples was found between patients with PEX syndrome and the control group. It is important to simultaneously evaluate serum and aqueous samples from patients with PEX syndrome, which is related to an impaired blood-aqueous barrier.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Canakkale, Turkey.
authors: Selcuk
authors: S
authors: Kara
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Hospitals, Meselik, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors: Nilgun
authors: N
authors: Yildirim
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Hospitals, Meselik, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Ozer
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Hospitals, Meselik, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors: Omer
authors: O
authors: Colak
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Hospitals, Meselik, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors: Afsun
authors: A
authors: Sahin
keywords: MMP-2; PEX glaucoma; PEX syndrome; TGF-β1; TIMP-2