Objective: To assess serum levels of Matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMPs-2) and MMP-9 in Behcet’s
disease (BD) patients to investigate the possible association between MMP-2 and MMP-9 serum levels with clinical
manifestations and disease activity. Methodology: Thirty BD patients and 30 age and sex matched healthy controls
were included. Thorough clinical examination with stress on dermatological, locomotor, neurological and
ophthalmologic manifestations. Assessment of disease activity was done. We compared the activity scores of
patients with their serum levels of MMP2 and MMP-9. Assessment of ESR, CRP, MMP-2 and MMP-9 serum levels
by ELISA were performed. Results: A statistical significant increase (P0.05) in
MMP-2 levels in BD patients in comparison with the control group. Within the BD patients' group, there were
elevations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 serum levels in BD patients with vascular lesions, CNS lesions and disease
activity (P |
