Influence of Matrix Metalloproteinases content on eardrum atrophy in
Otitis Media with Effusion in children
Abstract
Objectives Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common pathology in
children. Effusions contain Metalloproteinases (MMPs), which can lead to
atrophy of the tympanic membrane (TM) due to destructive effect on the
lamina propria. Not all cases of OME are complicated with atrophy, maybe
explained by an inter-individual variation of MMP concentration in
effusions. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation
between concentration of MMPs and existence of TM atrophy in children.
Participants - Main outcome measures The effusion from thirty middle
ears were collected during insertion of VT in children aged 15 months to
10 years, including 11 eardrums with tympanic atrophy and 19 without
tympanic atrophy. ELISA tests were used to measure concentrations of
MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in the effusions. Correlations between
MMP levels and atrophy of eardrum was investigated, as well as
correlation with age, gender, number of previous ventilation tube
insertion, and viscosity of the glue. Results The mean concentration of
MMP-2 was higher in the atrophic group than in effusions without TM
atrophy (0.6 ng/mg versus 0.5 ng/mg total protein respectively), while
the TIMP-2 concentration was lower in this group. The level of MMP-2
decreased with the age. Finally, a significantly higher concentration of
MMP-9 and TIMP-2 was found in high-viscosity effusions. Conclusion This
study suggests that MMP-2 activity could play an important role in
destruction of the eardrum during OME in infancy. MMP-2 level assessment
could be interesting for determining children with risk of lamina
propria destruction.