Significant elevation of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 level and its ratio to matrix metalloproteinase-2 in patients with pelvic inflammatory disease  Po-Hui Wang, M.D., Ph.D., Hsiu-Ting Tsai, Ph.D., Yi-Torng Tee, M.D., Ph.D., Long-Yau Lin, M.D., Ph.D., Shun-Fa Yang, Ph.D., Yih- Shou Hsieh, Ph.D.  Fertility and Sterility  Volume 92, Issue 5, Pages 1679-1684 (November 2009) DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.113 Copyright © 2009 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activities analyzed by gelatin zymography in pretreatment and post-treatment plasma in 47 patients with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). (A) Representative gelatin zymography of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in seven patients with PID. The MMP-9 activity is higher in pretreatment than post-treatment plasma in patients 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7, but same in patients 4 and 5. There is no significant difference for MMP-2 activity in these patients. (B) The levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity are expressed using densitometry. The MMP-9 activity is higher in pretreatment than post-treatment plasma in 47 patients with PID (P<.001). The difference, however, is not found in the activity of MMP-2. Statistical analysis: pair t-test. Each bar represents the mean ± SD of triplicate experiments. Fertility and Sterility 2009 92, 1679-1684DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.113) Copyright © 2009 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 The correlations among plasma matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 level, MMP-9:MMP-2 ratio, white blood cell (WBC), and neutrophil counts in 47 patients with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) before they received the treatment protocols suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (A) There is a significant correlation between plasma MMP-9 level and WBC counts (Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient γ = 0.501, P<.001) in 47 patients with PID before they received the treatment protocols. (B) There is a significant correlation between plasma MMP-9 level and neutrophil counts (γ = 0.471, P = .001) in 47 patients with PID. (C) There is a significant correlation between plasma MMP-9:MMP-2 ratio and WBC counts (γ = 0.528, P<.001) in 47 patients with PID before they received the treatment protocols. (D) There is a significant correlation between plasma MMP-9:MMP-2 ratio and neutrophil counts (γ = 0.514, P<.001) in 47 patients with PID. Fertility and Sterility 2009 92, 1679-1684DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.113) Copyright © 2009 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions