Uterine leiomyomas belong to the most often occurring tumours of reproductive organs in female population. The amounts and activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-s) and their inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) were studied in human myometrium and uterine leyomyomas in various stages of tumour growth.

Studies were performed on leiomyomas extirpated during surgery. Small tumours weighing less than 10g and large tumours weighing more than 100g were compared.

It was fund that both myometrium and the investigated tumours contain collagenolytic enzymes. MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were found. Gelatinase A (MMP-2) was the most abundant metalloproteinase. In control myometrium only 10% of this enzyme existed in a active form, whereas in tumours, especially in large ones, the values reached 30%.

It was observed that all investigated tissues contained TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. Expression of TIMP-1 increased during leiomyoma growth.

Presented results indicated that during leiomyoma growth extracellular matrix remodelling depended on expression and activity metalloproteinases and their inhibitors.

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