Expression and significance of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 genes in gastric cancer

Objective To investigate the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) and clinic characteristics in gastric cancer.Methods Expressions of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 mRNA were detected in 60 paired samples of primary gastric cancer and tumor-adjacent gastric mucosae by reverse transcriptase-PCR.Results The MMP-1 mRNA expression was higher and TIMP-1 expression was lower in gastric cancers than those in tumor-adjacent gastric mucosae(P0.05).In gastric cancer tissues,the expression of MMP-1 mRNA was higher and TIMP-1 expression was lower in the undifferentiated,grade Ⅲ～Ⅳ,and with lymph node metastasis than those in the well and moderately differentiated,gradeⅠ～Ⅱ,or without lymph node metastasis(P0.05).MMP-1 expression was negatively correlated with TIMP-1 mRNA expression.Expressions of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 mRNA were not significantly correlated with age,gender,histological classification,the size and location of tumors(P0.05).Conclusion The expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in gastric cancer was obviously related with tumor differentiation,stage and lymph node metastases.