Significant differences in serum activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 between HCV- and HBV-infected patients and carriers

To examine the possible involvement of MMP-9 and -2 in the development of l iver diseases caused by HCV or HBV infection, serum activities of both enzy mes were studied by zymograph. Eight groups of subjects (60 for each) were examined in the study: healthy control, patients with hepatoma, liver cirrh osis, chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C, and carriers positive for HBsAg, both HBsAg and HBeAg, or anti-HCV. The results showed significant c hanges in the MMP-9 and -2 activities in the carriers. The presence of HBeA g was accompanied by a highest activity of MMP-2 and an inversely correlate d (r = - 0.578, P = < 0.001), lowest activity of MMP-9 among all groups. Fo r those with active liver diseases, MMPs activities were fluctuated at each stage of pathological symptoms. Chronic hepatitis B and C patients had sig nificant different serum MMP-2 and -9 activities. These findings imply an i nfluence on the balance of MMPs system by the existence of virus that might influence the following progression of liver disease, and a distinction be tween the pathological mechanisms of HCV and HBV. Since the serum MMPs acti vities were significantly varied between each stage of liver disease, an in dividual profile of these parameters might serve as an easy accessing serum marker to monitor the progression of liver disease. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.