The Expression of Matix Metalloproteinase-3 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 in Ectopic Endometriosis

Objective : To observe the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) in endometriosis(EMs),and to study the possible roles of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the pathogenesis of EMs.Method: Immunohistochemical method was employed to detect the expression of MMP3 and TIMP-1 in ectopic endometrium(40 cases) and ectopic endometrium(42 cases) from women with EMs and normal endometrium(38 cases).Result: The levels of MMP-3 in ectopic endometrium tissues of EMs were significantly higher than those in the ectopic and normal endometrium(P 0.01).The expression of TIMP-1 in ectopic and eutopic endometrium of EMs was lower than that in the normal endometrium.There was significant difference in the positive expression ratio between them(P 0.01).Conclusion: The high expression of MMP-3 in EMs and lower expression of TIMP-1 in EMs resulting the higher ratio of MMP-3/TIMP-1 can contribute to the ectopic endometrium having stronger invasive ability than the normal endometrium.