Evaluation of tissue metaloproteinases inhibitors TIMP-2 and TIMP-4 in III-rd trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

To achieve physiological pregnancy development proper implantation and placental development is needed to establish good exchange between mother and fetus. Metaloproteinases of extracellular matrix are responsible of its degradation, their action is decreased by metaloproteinases inhibitors - TIMPs. Assessment of the concentrations soluble extracellular matrix metaloproteinases inhibitors TIMP-2 and TIMP-4 in blood of pregnant healthy women in III-rd trimester and in umbilical cord blood separately from arteries and umbilical cord vein. The study was conduced in High Risk Pregnancy Clinic, Medical University Lodz. The study group consisted from 29 women in normal, eutrophic pregnancy between 37 and 40 weeks of pregnancy TIMP-2 and TIMP-4 were measured in blood samples from maternal blood and umbilical cord vessels - separately from arteries and vein. Mean TIMP-2 concentration in maternal blood was 101,27 ng/ml, from umbilical artery 108,88 ng/ml, and from vein 108,28 ng/ml. Mean concentration of TIMP-4 in maternal blood was 726,73 pg/ml in umbilical artery was 529,95 pg/ml, in umbilical vein - 537,87 pg/ml. Comparing obtained results of TIMP-4 statistical difference between maternal blood and umbilical cord blood was found. The lack of increase of TIMP-2 synthesis in III-rd trimester of physiological pregnancy may be result of stabile vascularisation process. Observed decrease of TIMP-4 concentration may be the result of normal blood vessels development and the lack of increase angiogenesis process in both mother and fetus.