Abstract:

[Abstract] Objective  To investigate the expressions of collagen, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 in patients with direct and indirect inguinal hernia, and explore the pathogenesis of the inguinal hernia. Methods Herniorrhaphy was performed in 46 patients with inguinal hernia (19 direct and 27 indirect), and the expressions of collagen, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the transversalis fascia were examined by using Masson stain and Western blot. The serum levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 were examined by using ELISA method. Results  The irregular and disorder arrangement of collagen were found in patients with direct hernia, and the regular arrangement of collagen was found in patients with indirect hernia. There was a significantly lower level of collagen in the transversalis fascia in patients with direct hernia than that of patients with indirect hernia（P < 0.05）. There was a significantly higher serum level of MMP-2 and the higher level in the transversalis fascia in patients with direct hernia than that of patients with indirect hernia（P < 0.05）. The levels of TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 were significantly lower in patients with direct hernia than that of patients with indirect hernia（P < 0.05）. Con clusion  The disordered expressions of collagen, MMP-2, TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 might be associated with the development of direct inguinal hernia.

Key words: collagen, matrix metalloproteinase, tissueinhibitorofmetalloproteinase, inguinal hernia, transversalis fascia