[Detection of the activity of MMP2 and MMP9 in middle ear cholesteatoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between the activity of MMP2, and bone resorption in middle ear cholesteatoma. METHOD: Specimens from 41 cases of middle ear cholesteatoma and 20 cases of external auditory canal skin were analysed for molecular corresponding to MMP2 and MMP9 by using Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) Zymography. RESULT: The active levels of MMP2 and MMP9 in the cholesteatoma, which were (0.954+/-0.411) and (2.676+/-0.734) respectively, were obviously higher than that in the external auditory canal skins, which were (0.355+/-0.160) and (1.166+/-0.443) gray area x mg(-1) x ml(-1) respectively, and showed close relationship (P < 0.01). The active levels of MMP2 and MMP9 in extensive cholesteatoma, which were (1.062+/-0.401) and (2.946+/-0.134) respectively, were significantly increased in comparison with in localized cholesteatoma which were (0.701+/-0.318) and (2.193+/-0.601) gray area x mg(-1) x ml(-1) respectively. No significant difference was observed between recurrent cases and first cases (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The increase of activity of MMP2 and MMP9 in cholesteatoma indicated that MMP2 and MMP9 may play a vital role in the bone destruction associated with cholesteatoma.