Serum determination of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in chronic liver disease according to alcohol consumption, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatitis C

Introduction and Objective

This study aimed to evaluate serum concentration of MMP-2 and -9 in different etiologies of liver disease also according to fibrosis stages.

Materials and methods

Cross-sectional multicentric study, including subjects with no alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic Hepatitis C (CHC), alcohol cirrhosis (CiOH) and alcoholism (OH), groups with alcohol drinking habits were classified according to OMS criteria, with clinical and biochemical evidence of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Transitional elastography (Fibroscan) was performed in NAFLD and CHC, considering mild fibrosis (FL: F0, F1, F2) and severe fibrosis (FA: F3, F4). As controls, subjects without alcohol consumption (CT) were recruited. Multiplex®-MERCK© was used for MMP-2 and -9 quantification. Statistical analysis was performed by Mann Whitney-U test, p<0.05, with SPSS V.22.

Results

The groups included were: 27 NAFLD (mild fibrosis: F0, F1, F2), 36 NAFLD (severe fibrosis: F3, F4), 48 CHC (mild fibrosis: F0, F1, F2), 54 CHC (severe fibrosis: F3, F4), 45 (CiOH), 99 (OH), and 138 CT. Both gelatinases, MMP-2 y MMP-9, were found elevated in CHC (mild and severe fibrosis) vs. CT; and decreased in OH, CiOH, HGNA (mild and severe fibrosis) vs. CT, plus there are significant differences between all etiologies, p<0.001.

Discussion

In patients with CHC, MMP-2 y -9 serum concentration increases, particularly in severe fibrosis stages, although it has no effect on ECM (extracellular matrix) degradation, as they are inactive. Nevertheless, there is a significant decrease in these gelatinases in ALD and NAFLD.

Conclusions

MMP-2 y MMP-9 module depends on the etiological agent involved, which can be useful for the differential diagnosis of liver diseases.

Funding

This work was partially financed by CONACyT SALUD-2016-272579 (GRG) and PAPIIT- UNAM TA200515 (GRG).

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.