AIM: To clarify whether the level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) or the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 was associated with the renal involvement in Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP); and to explore whether there existed early diagnostic measure for HSP nephritis (HSPN). METHODS: Sixty-six patients with HSPN, 68 patients with HSP and 60 healthy children (control group) were enrolled into our study. Serum and urine samples before treatment were collected for detection. RESULTS: Compared with the HSP group and control group, serum MMP-9, TIMP-1 and ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in the HSPN group were significantly higher (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Urine MMP-9, TIMP-1 and ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in the HSPN group were obviously higher than those of the control group (P<0.05) and the HSP group (P<0.05). Receiver-operator curve (ROC) analysis was performed to obtain the area under the curve (AUC) and the AUC and its 95% confidence interval (CI) of serum MMP-9 were 0.97 and 0.95-0.99, respectively. The optimal cut-off point (sensitivity; specificity) of serum MMP-9 for diagnosing HSPN was 179.79 mg/L (0.96; 0.88). CONCLUSION: Levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in serum and urine were remarkably high in the patients with HSPN, but the serum MMP-9 was more sensitive. Serum MMP-9 may be associated with the occurrence and development of renal involvement in HSPN and become an important indicator for early diagnosis of HSPN.
AIM: To clarify whether the level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) or the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 was associated with the renal involvement in Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP); and to explore whether there existed early diagnostic measure for HSP nephritis (HSPN). METHODS: Sixty-six patients with HSPN, 68 patients with HSP and 60 healthy children (control group) were enrolled into our study. Serum and urine samples before treatment were collected for detection. RESULTS: Compared with the HSP group and control group, serum MMP-9, TIMP-1 and ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in the HSPN group were significantly higher (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Urine MMP-9, TIMP-1 and ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in the HSPN group were obviously higher than those of the control group (P<0.05) and the HSP group (P<0.05). Receiver-operator curve (ROC) analysis was performed to obtain the area under the curve (AUC) and the AUC and its 95% confidence interval (CI) of serum MMP-9 were 0.97 and 0.95-0.99, respectively. The optimal cut-off point (sensitivity; specificity) of serum MMP-9 for diagnosing HSPN was 179.79 mg/L (0.96; 0.88). CONCLUSION: Levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in serum and urine were remarkably high in the patients with HSPN, but the serum MMP-9 was more sensitive. Serum MMP-9 may be associated with the occurrence and development of renal involvement in HSPN and become an important indicator for early diagnosis of HSPN.