Serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases in @entity1 with XXXX .

@entity1 @entity82 @entity1223 @entity1252 @entity2843 @entity309 @entity785
BACKGROUND: One of the suggested contributory factors to the development of dermal @entity82 is a decrease in collagenase activity, which may be related to levels of serum @entity2843 ( @entity2843 ). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of serum @entity2843 levels in @entity785 ( @entity785 ). METHODS: We measured serum @entity2843 concentration in 62 @entity1 with @entity785 , 11 @entity1 with @entity1252 , 14 @entity1 with @entity309 , and 22 members of a normal control group. The clinical features of the @entity1 with @entity785 and elevated @entity2843 levels were examined. RESULTS: The mean @entity2843 level in the @entity1 with @entity785 was significantly higher than that in the members of the control group or the @entity1 with @entity1252 or @entity309 . In 44% of the @entity1 with @entity785 the serum @entity2843 level was elevated. The mean serum @entity2843 level in @entity1 with diffuse cutaneous @entity785 (dSSc) was significantly higher than that in those with limited cutaneous @entity785 . The @entity1 with dSSc and elevated serum @entity2843 levels showed a significantly greater incidence of @entity82 and anti-topoisomerase I antibody than those with normal serum @entity2843 levels. The @entity2843 level and diffusing capacity for @entity1223 in the @entity1 with @entity785 were negatively correlated. Increased mitogenic activity on dermal fibroblasts caused by serum from @entity1 with dSSc was partially blocked by anti- @entity2843 IgG. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that serum @entity2843 level is a useful indicator of disease activity in @entity1 with @entity785 and that @entity2843 is involved in the pathogenesis of @entity785 .
