[Age-related changes serum levels of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in women: their relationship with bone biochemical markers and bone mineral density].

Objective: To study the relationship between serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2 and bone turnover markers, bone mineral density (BMD) in Chinese women aged 20-80 years.
Methods: Serum MMP-1, MMP-2, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC) and cross-linked N-telopeptide of collagen type I (NTX) were measured using ELISA. BMD were measured using DEXA in 591 women.
Results: (1) MMP-1 and MMP-2 were positively correlated with age (both P < 0.001). (2) Level of MMP-2 in postmenopausal women was significantly higher than that in premenopausal women (P < 0.001). (3) Significant negative relationship was found between MMP-2 and BMD, but multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed MMP-2 was not the determinant factor of BMD. (4) Positive correlation was found between MMP-2 and BAP, OC, NTX (all P < 0.001). (5) Serum MMP-2 concentrations were significantly higher in postmenopausal osteoporotic women than in age-matched normal controls and osteopenic subjects.
Conclusion: Circulating MMP-2 and markers of bone turnover are related and they may increase with the increase in bone-turnover. The increase of serum MMP-2 appears possibly as a concomitant event in high bone turnover state such as postmenopausal osteoporosis.