SERUM LEVEL OF MMP-3 IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTRITIS TREATED WITH TNF-α BLOKERS

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes whose primary function is to break down the extracellular matrix. MMPs are important for tissue remodeling and affect cell signaling. MMP-3 (Stromelysin-1, Transin-1) hydrolyzes natural collagen and extracellular matrix components such as proteoglycan, laminin, fibronectin, gelatin and collagen type III, IV and IX and activates the precursor of IL1-beta. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a rapidly developing, debilitating disease, and it is important for patients with it to identify serum biomarkers to predict its development. Patients and Methods: MMP-3 has been studied in 21 patients with PsA, 16 patients with PsA receiving TNF-α blocker therapy, and 22 patients with gonarthrosis and 15 healthy age-matched adults. All patients were treated and monitored at the University Clinic of Rheumatology, UMHAT “Kaspela“ and UMHAT “Steti Georgi”, Medical University, Plovdiv. The study of MMPs was performed using an ELISA methodology. Statistical processing of the data was performed using the SPSS 23 program with confidence (p <0.001). Results: The mean MMP-3 value in patients with PsA was 197.00 ± 35.90 pg / ml, in patients with AS 101.08 ± 15.76 ng / ml. The mean MMP-3 in patients with PsA receiving TNF-α blocker therapy and with low clinical disease activity was 50.48 ± 9.22 ng / ml. The mean MMP-3 in patients with gonarthrosis was 42.91 ± 11.72 ng / ml. The mean MMP-3 values in patients with active PsA were significantly different from those treated with TNF-α-blockers and patients with degenerative joint disease and controls (p <0.05). Conclusion: MMP-3 was significantly increased in patients with PsA compared with patients with osteoarthritis and healthy subjects. Administration of TNF-α blockers gradually leads to a decrease in the serum level of MMP-3 and can serve as a biomarker for disease activity as well as for evaluating the effect of therapy. arthrosis disease