Assay of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in CSF of patients with tuberculous meningitis

Objective To observe the changes of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and its tissue inhibitor TIMP-1 in cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)of patients with tuberculous meningitis.Methods An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the CSF of patients with tuberculous meningitis(n = 12),virus meningitis(n = 9)and the headache controlled patients(n = 5).The patients with tuberculous meningitis were divided into two groups according to the patients with(Group A,n = 7)or without(Group B,n = 5)central nervous system complications such as conscious disturbance or symptomes of cerebral parenchymatous damage.Rusults MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in CSF were significantly higher in CSF of patients with tuberculous meningitis and even more higher in Group A.Conclusions It is suggested that tuberculous meningitis patients with conscious disturbance or symptomes of cerebral parenchymatous damage is associated with a significantly increased levels of MMP-9 in CSF.So,assay of MMP-9 in CSF may be useful to the diagnose and prognosis of tuberculous meningitides.