Expressions of MMPs and TIMP-1 in Gastric Ulcers May DifferentiateH. pylori-Infected from NSAID-Related Ulcers

Abstract

Background. Two major causes of gastric ulcers areHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use.Aims. This study aimed to determine if there were different expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) betweenH. pylori-infected and NSAID-related ulcers.Methods. The 126 gastric ulcer patients (H. pyloriinfectedn=46; NSAID relatedn=30; combined with two factorsn=50) provided ulcer and nonulcer tissues for assessment of MMP-3, -7, and -9 and TIMP-1 expression by immunohistochemical staining.Results. Gastric ulcer tissues had significantly higher MMP-3, -7, and -9 and TIMP-1 expressions than nonulcer tissues (P<0.05).H. pylori-infected gastric ulcers had even higher MMP-7, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 expressions in epithelial cells than NSAID-related gastric ulcers (P<0.05). In patients with the two combined factors, gastric ulcers expressed similar proportions of antral ulcers and MMP-7 and MMP-9 intensities to NSAID-related gastric ulcers, but lower MMP-9 and TIMP-1 thanH. pylori-infected gastric ulcers (P<0.05).Conclusions. H. pylori-infected gastric ulcers express higher MMP-7, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 than NSAID-related ulcers. In patients with the two combined factors, ulcer location and MMP-7 and MMP-9 intensities are similar to NSAID use.