{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Relationships of serum MMP-7 and clinical characteristics in choledochal cyst children.
{Author}: Yin T;Chen S;Zhou R;Liu W;Diao M;Li L;
{Journal}: BMC Surg
{Volume}: 24
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 Jun 24
{Factor}: 2.03
{DOI}: 10.1186/s12893-024-02488-y
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is associated with biliary injury. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships of serum MMP-7 with clinical characteristics in choledochal cysts (CDC) children.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Between June 2020 and July 2022, we conducted a prospective study of CDCs who underwent one-stage definitive operation at our center. Serum MMP-7 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We evaluated the relationships between serum MMP-7 and age, laboratory tests, imaging examinations, liver fibrosis, MMP-7 expression, and perforation.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>A total of 328 CDCs were enrolled in the study, with a median serum MMP-7 of 7.67 ng/mL. Higher serum MMP-7 was correlated with younger age at diagnosis (p < 0.001), larger cyst sizes (p < 0.001), higher liver fibrosis stages (p < 0.001), and higher incidence of perforation (p < 0.01). Liver MMP-7 was mainly expressed in intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary epithelial cells. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was 0.630 (p < 0.001) for serum MMP-7 in predicting perforation. When serum MMP-7 was combined with γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), the AUROC increased to 0.706 (p < 0.001).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Serum MMP-7 was associated with biliary obstruction in CDCs. Patients with high serum MMP-7 were more likely to have severe liver damage and biliary injury, with higher incidences of liver fibrosis and perforation.