Serum levels of mdc and mmp-9 and the relationship between serum levels and disease activity in the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

ABSTRACT

Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is a complicated autoimmune disease. Although its pathogenesis is not clear, cytokine may be involved in it. So we investigated serum levels of macrophage-derived chemokine [MDC], and matrix metalloproteinase-9 [MMP-9], and to determine the relationship between serum levels and the disease activity of SLE. Serum levels of MDC and MMP-9 were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay [ELISA]. Significantly decreased serum levels of MDC and MMP-9 were found in SLE as compared to those in controls [P<0.001 P<0.001], but serum levels of MDC and MMP-9 increased after treatment [P<0.001 P<0.05]. Serum levels of MDC and MMP-9 were lower in patients with active disease than those with inactive disease [P<0.001 P<0.05]. Significantly decreased serum levels of MDC and MMP-9 were found in patients with renal damage than those without the damage [P<0.001 P<0.05]. Serum level of MDC was lower in patients with arthritis than those without the damage [P<0.001], but serum level of MMP-9 has no significant difference in two groups [P>0.05]. The present data suggest that MDC and MMP-9 may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, and serum levels of MDC and MMP-9 could be markers of monitoring disease activity, renal damage, disease progression and improvement in SLE