Expression and Significance of Metalloproteinase and Collagen in Vaginal Wall Tissues of Patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to investigate the roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and collagen in female patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods. Sixty POP patients comprised the POP group (23 cases of grade II prolapse (POP-subgroup 1) and 37 cases of grade III-IV prolapse (POP-subgroup 2)]; another 35 non-POP patients comprised the control group. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the relative mRNA and protein expression of MMP-1, MMP-8, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), and type I and III collagen in the anterior vaginal wall tissues. Results. The relative mRNA and protein expression of MMP-1 and MMP-8 in the anterior vaginal wall tissues of POP-subgroup 2 was significantly higher than those in POP-subgroup 1 and the control group (P<0.05). The relative mRNA and protein expression of TIMP-1 in POP-subgroup 2 was significantly lower than those in POP-subgroup 1 and the control group (P<0.05). Similarly, the expression of types I and III collagen was significantly lower than those in POP-subgroup 1 and the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions. Reduced expression of types I and III collagen and TIMP-1 as well as the increased expression of MMP-1 and MMP-8 in the anterior vaginal wall tissues play important roles in the onset of POP.