Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Expression in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries. NAFLD may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Emerging evidence suggests that NAFLD is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS). NAFLD is closely linked to MetS, with a significant increase in cardiovascular risk. Several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) play important roles in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and liver fibrosis. In this study we investigated the usefulness of serum metalloproteinases as noninvasive markers of NAFLD. Forty-six patients with NAFLD and twenty-six healthy controls were enrolled into the study, in Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital. Liver biopsies were performed on all patients with NAFLD and histopathological evaluations were made by an experienced pathologist. All NAFLD patients were divided into 2 subgroups according to MetS status using ATP III criteria. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were studied in serum samples of all groups. Results were compared between both groups and subgroups. In this study, the NAFLD and control groups did not differ significantly on MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-1/MMP-9 ratio (p > 0.05). However, we found a significant relationship between the HOMA and TIMP-1 (p<0.05). Moreover, MMP-9 and TIMP-1/MMP-9 levels were significantly correlated with waist circumference (p<0.05). Our findings are not sufficient to suggest that MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-1/MMP-9 ratio might be used as noninvasive biochemical diagnostic tests among NAFLD patients. [Dis Mol Med 2015; 3(2.000): 11-17