<p>CIRCULATING GELETINASE- A / TIMP-1 RATIOS AS IMMUNOPATHOLOGICAL BIOMARKERS OF OSTEOARTICULAR INVOLVEMENT IN BRUCELLOZIS<br />Orhan Akpınar<br />SD&Uuml; Diş Hekimliği Fak&uuml;ltesi &Ccedil;ene Cerrahisi AD. Mikrobiyoloji B&ouml;l&uuml;m&uuml;<br />Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate MMP-2 and TIMP-1 ratios, which play an important role in regulation of connective tissue metabolism, as immunopathological biomarkers in patients with osteoarticular involvement in brucellosis.<br />Materials-Methods: A total of ninety patients were included in the study. The following three groups were created. In group A (n = 30), Rose Bengal test were confirmed by the SAT test. In additionally, Brucella specific IgG, IgM were studied by ELISA to remove false negative or positive causative factors. In group B (n=30), osteoarticular involvement of brucellosis such as sacroiliitis, spondylitis, osteomyelitis were determined by imaging methods. In group C (n=30), the control group had no acute or chronic illness. MMP-2 and TIMP-1 were studied by the ELISA method.<br />Results: MMP-2 ratios in group A was four times higher than group C and three times higher than group B. TIMP-1 ratios were decreased in group A and group B according to the control group. A negative correlation between MMP-2 and TIMP-1 was found in all groups. The ratio of MMP/TIMP in group B was lower than group A (p&lt;0.005).<br />Conclusion: There is a balance between MMP and TIMPs in sustaining physiological events. As with most inflammatory processes, brucellosis also stimulates MMP-2 secretion by osteoblasts. TIMPs generally do not increase by the same amount. For this reason, TIMPs tightly control MMP enzyme activity and MMP / TIMP balance. The decrease in MMP / TIMP ratio in group B may be indicative of osteoarthritic complications.<br />Key words: Osteoarticular brucellosis, MMP-2, TIMP-1, MMP-2/TIMP-1ratio</p>