Research on the effects of expressions of MMP1,TIMP1 in lacrimal gland of ovariectomized rats

Abstract

AIM: To study the effects of estrogen on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-1(MMP-1)and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1)in lacrimal gland of ovariectomized rat. METHODS:A total of 60 female rats were examined for the expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 protein in lacrimal gland through SⅠt measurement together with Western- blot and RT-PCR methods.RESULTS:There was significant reduction in SⅠt and increase in the protein expression of MMP1, TIMP1 and mRNA after ovariectomy conducted on rats(PPCONCLUSION: Estrogen must be applied cautiously to treat xerophthalmia following menopause because estrogen can up regulate the expressions of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 and can aggravate the decrease of lacrimal secretion.

Keywords

• xerophthalmia
• matrix metalloproteinases-1
• tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1
• Western- blot
• real-time PCR