Background: Мatrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is an enzye from the gelatinases family involved mainly in collagen degradation. It is also known as a key regulator of normal vascular remodelling during a healthy pregnancy. Failure of regulation of MMP-2 has been associated with abnormal vasodilation, placentation, uterine expansion and development of preeclampsia (PE). Aims: (1) determine serum MMP-2 levels in women with PE and healthy pregnancy, (2) evaluate mean uterine arteries Doppler pulsatility index (UtA PI) and (3) investigate the a possible association between these parameters.
Materials and methods: This was a case-control study. Fifty-five women with PE (mean age 24.9 ± 6 years) and a control group of 35 women with normal pregnancies (mean age 24.7 ± 5.4 years) were examined. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine serum levels of MMP-2. Mean UtA PI were evaluated by Doppler velocimetry.
Results: Serum ММР-2 levels in preeclampsia were significantly higher than in women with normal pregnancy 11.7 (9.1÷15.5) vs. 7.7 ng/ml (6.5÷13.4) (p = 0.016). Mean UtA PI was significantly higher in preeclampsia than in healthy pregnant women: 1.12 (0.82÷1.5) vs. 0.75 (0.69÷0.85); (p = 0.024). ММР-2 correlated with UtA PI (r = 0.214; p = 0.043). Cutoff value at 14 ng/ml for MMP-2 was found to discriminate between PE and healthy pregnancy.
Conclusion: Our data showed an association between serum MMP-2 and Mean UtA PI. We suggest that MMP-2 could have a potential imply on maternal uterine arteries’ structure, favoring their constriction, increased resistance and abnormal uterine vascular remodeling. Further studies are warranted to clarify whether determination of MMP-2 cutoff value might contribute in the diagnosic work-out strategy for PE.
