Association between serum soluble membrane type matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MT1-MMP) levels and bone mineral density, and biochemical markers in postmenopausal women

• Published in: Clinica chimica acta 2008-04, Vol.390 (1), p.44-48
• Main Authors: Ren, Xiao-Hong, Peng, Xiao-Ding, Wu, Xian-Ping, Liao, Er-yuan, Sun, Zhen-Qiu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers - blood; Blotting, Western; Bone biochemical marker; Bone Density; Bone mineral density; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 - blood; Membrane type matrix metalloproteinase-1; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Solubility
• ISSN: 0009-8981; 1873-3492
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2007.12.022

Recently, membrane type matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MT1-MMP) was found to participate in bone metabolism. We investigated the relationship between serum MT1-MMP and bone mineral density (BMD) as well as bone metabolic markers in 206 Chinese postmenopausal women aged 43–80 years. Western analysis and ELISA were performed to detect serum soluble MT1-MMP levels. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Serum alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) were assayed using ELISA. We found that soluble MT1-MMP abundantly existed in human serum as protein lack of transmembrane domain. Serum MT1-MMP levels were detectable in all participants and the range of value was 221.2–863.0 ng/ml (435.6 ± 98.2 ng/ml). We found a significant negative weaker correlation between MT1-MMP and BMD at lumbar spine, total hip (Thip), and femoral neck (FN) (all P < 0.05). After adjustment for age and BMI, the correlation with BMD at FN and Thip disappeared (all P > 0.05). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that MT1-MMP was not a determinant factor for BMD. The significant positive correlations between MT1-MMP and BAP, NTX were found, and remained significant after adjustment for age and BMI (all P < 0.05). Moreover, serum MT1-MMP, BAP, and NTX decreased in response to alendronate therapy. Circulating MT1-MMP and bone turnover markers are correlated, and serum MT1-MMP levels may rise with increase in bone turnover.