Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) is a proteolytic enzyme produced by synovial cells, participating in the joint destruction.
To investigate the clinical significance of serum MMP-3 level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we compared MMP-3 level with other clinical parameters of disease activity in 99 patients with RA. Sixty-two patients were positive for MMP-3. Both serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the Lansbury articular index were significantly higher in the group of patients positive for MMP-3 compared to that of patients negative for MMP-3. Serum MMP-3 level was shown to be correlated with serum level of CRP and the Lansbury articular index, but not with tender joint count nor swollen joint count. Thus, our results strongly support the idea that serum MMP-3 level is a useful indicator of arthritic activity in patients with RA.
