Expression and significance of matrix metalloproteinases-9 protein in uterine leiomyoma

OBJECTIVE To Investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9(MMP-9)in normal smooth muscle and muscular tumor smooth muscle of uterine leiomyoma patients,and to explore the possible pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma.METHODS Muscular tumor tissue and it’s corresponding normal smooth muscle tissue were obtained from 38 specimens of uterine leiomyoma patients,named normal uterine smooth muscle group and uterine leiomyoma smooth muscle group.immunohistochemistry SP method was employed to detect the expression of MMP-9 protein in two groups.RESULTS MMP-9 protein were expressed in either normal uterine smooth muscle or uterine leiomyoma smooth muscle.There were significantly higher expression of MMP-9 protein in uterine leiomyoma smooth muscle(0.245±0.048 optical density)then that in normal uterine smooth muscle(0.245±0.048 optical density)(P0.01).CONCLUSION The expression of MMP-9 protein is increased in uterine leiomyoma,it may be associated with pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma.