Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in the degenerated lumbar intervertebral disc tissue

Aim:To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)in degenerated lumbar intervertebral disc tissue.Methods:A total of 56 specimens of degenerated lumbar intervertebral disc and 10 specimens of normal lumbar intervertebral disc were subjected to detect the expression of MMP-2 using immunohistochemistry methods.Results:The expression of MMP-2 in degenerated lumbar intervertebral disc was higher than that in the normal intervertebral disc tissue [(58.45±20.37)% vs(3.54±0.96)%,t=8.960,P0.001].There were significant differences among the MMP-2 expressions in sequested disc,ruptured disc and prominent disc tissues [(75.67±6.00)%,(69.32±5.91)%,and(33.17±8.48)%,F=208.558,P0.001].The expression of MMP-2 decreased by turn from sequested disc,ruptured disc to prominent disc(P0.05).Conclusion:MMP-2 may be related to lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.