Raffaele Serra1, Luca Gallelli2, Raffaele Grande3, Bruno Amato4, Giovanni De Caridi5, Giuseppe Sammarco3, Francesco Ferrari3, Lucia Butrico3, Gaetano Gallo3, Antonia Rizzuto3, Stefano de Franciscis6, Rosario Sacco3. 1. Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. Electronic address: rserra@unicz.it. 2. Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. 3. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. 4. Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy. 5. Department of Dentistry and Medical and Surgical Experimental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. 6. Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: An association between hemorrhoidal disease and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been described previously. MMPs regulate extracellular structural proteins and tissue remodeling. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is involved in the regulation of MMP activity. The aim of this work was to study the relationship between tissue immunoreactive levels of MMPs and NGAL and different stages of hemorrhoids. METHODS: In a multicenter, open-label, prospective study, the population under investigation consisted of 2 groups: group I (with symptomatic hemorrhoids; Goligher grade I-IV) and group II (healthy volunteers). RESULTS: We enrolled 97 patients with hemorrhoids: 21 with grade I hemorrhoids, 37 with grade II, 14 with grade III, and 25 with grade IV. Finally, 90 healthy volunteers (53 males and 37 females; age range, 19-70 years; median, 56) were enrolled in group II. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis revealed greater levels of immunoreactive MMPs and NGAL in all patients with hemorrhoids. We recorded significantly greater levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in grade I and II patients compared with control, and greater levels of MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in grade III compared with grade II. MMP-9 and NGAL were particularly increased in patients with grade IV especially in case of thrombosed hemorrhoids. CONCLUSION: These results provide potentially important insights into the understanding of the natural history of hemorrhoids. MMPs and NGAL play a role in development of disease and may represent molecular markers for the complications such as hemorrhoidal thrombosis.
INTRODUCTION: An association between hemorrhoidal disease and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been described previously. MMPs regulate extracellular structural proteins and tissue remodeling. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is involved in the regulation of MMP activity. The aim of this work was to study the relationship between tissue immunoreactive levels of MMPs and NGAL and different stages of hemorrhoids. METHODS: In a multicenter, open-label, prospective study, the population under investigation consisted of 2 groups: group I (with symptomatic hemorrhoids; Goligher grade I-IV) and group II (healthy volunteers). RESULTS: We enrolled 97 patients with hemorrhoids: 21 with grade I hemorrhoids, 37 with grade II, 14 with grade III, and 25 with grade IV. Finally, 90 healthy volunteers (53 males and 37 females; age range, 19-70 years; median, 56) were enrolled in group II. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis revealed greater levels of immunoreactive MMPs and NGAL in all patients with hemorrhoids. We recorded significantly greater levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in grade I and II patients compared with control, and greater levels of MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in grade III compared with grade II. MMP-9 and NGAL were particularly increased in patients with grade IV especially in case of thrombosed hemorrhoids. CONCLUSION: These results provide potentially important insights into the understanding of the natural history of hemorrhoids. MMPs and NGAL play a role in development of disease and may represent molecular markers for the complications such as hemorrhoidal thrombosis.
Authors: Paulo Salgueiro; Ana Célia Caetano; Ana Maria Oliveira; Bruno Rosa; Miguel Mascarenhas-Saraiva; Paula Ministro; Pedro Amaro; Rogério Godinho; Rosa Coelho; Rúben Gaio; Samuel Fernandes; Vítor Fernandes; Fernando Castro-Poças Journal: GE Port J Gastroenterol Date: 2019-09-05
Authors: Gaetano Gallo; Ugo Grossi; Gian Luca Di Tanna; Giulio Aniello Santoro; Gilda De Paola; Giuseppe Clerico; Alberto Realis Luc; Mario Trompetto; Giuseppe Sammarco Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2020-12-10 Impact factor: 4.241