Serum concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 in Chinese women: age-related changes, and the relationships with bone biochemical markers, bone mineral density.

Background: Osteoblast-derived matrix metalloproteinse-1 (MMP-1), MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) play a role in bone metabolism by degrading bone matrix.
Methods: We measured MMP-1, MMMP-2, TIMP-1 and associated results with age and bone metabolism in 591 Chinese women aged 20-80 y.
Results: Serum MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 concentrations exhibited positive correlation with age. Serum concentrations of MMP-1 were higher in 40-69 y old women. The concentrations of MMP-2 were significantly increased in the 50-69 y olds. Serum TIMP-1 concentrations were significantly lower in women aged 30-59 y, and then these were followed by an increase at >60 y olds. We found a significant negative weaker correlation between MMP-2 and BMD. But multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that MMP-2 was not a determinant factor for BMD. There were significant positive correlations between MMP-2 and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC), and cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX).
Conclusions: The serum concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 exhibit age-related changes, and circulating MMP-2 and bone turnover are related.