To assess the clinical value of serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in evaluating joint destruction and therapeutic effect in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
The study included 109 RA patients and 23 healthy volunteers. Serum MMP3, C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody levels were detected. All relevant clinical information of RA patients were recorded.
Serum RF, anti-CCP antibodies and MMP3 concentrations in RA patients were markedly higher than those in healthy controls, and serum anti-CCP antibodies and MMP3 levels significantly increased in active RA as compared with those in stable RA (P<0.05). Serum CRP, anti-CCP antibodies and MMP3 levels gradually rose with the progress of joint destruction, but only the increase of serum MMP3 was significant statistically (P<0.05). Serum MMP3 level was found positively correlated with serum CRP or RF levels or joint injury. After the combination treatment of TNF antagonist and methotrexate, DAS28 score, serum CRP, anti-CCP antibodies and MMP3 levels were markedly reduced (P<0.05), and the decrease of MMP3 level was the most obvious.
Serum MMP3 was a good laboratory index to evaluate the joint injury status and therapeutic effect, which is superior to other traditional and routine laboratory indexes.