Vaginal Lactoferrin Modulates PGE₂, MMP-9, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 Amniotic Fluid Concentrations

Figure 1

Concentrations of the inflammation markers measured in the amniotic fluids of controls and patients treated with lactoferrin 4 hours before amniocentesis. Values were normalized for the creatinine concentration and are presented as ng/mg creatinine. The Mann-Whitney test was used for the comparison between the groups. Significant lower levels of PGE₂ ((a), median [interquartile range] controls: 5.38 [4.44–8.24]; LF treated: 3.87 [2.97–6.33], ), active MMP-9 ((b), controls: 71.02 [34.51–105.02]; LF treated: 42.67 [13.66–81.12], ), and TIMP-1 ((d), controls: 84047 [66028–97949]; LF treated: 65952 [44201–82110], ) were found in lactoferrin-treated patients compared to controls. Increased levels of active MMP-2 ((c), controls: 105.67 [80.61–137.17]; LF treated: 282.90 [127.40–492.71], ) were found in patients treated with lactoferrin whereas the levels of TIMP-2 were comparable ((e), controls: 5098 [3276–6829]; LF treated: 6266 [4031–9959], ). In all the panels, the line between the data represents the median. PGE₂: prostaglandin E₂; MMP-9: matrix metalloproteinase-9; MMP-2: matrix metalloproteinase-2; TIMP-1: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1; TIMP-2: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2.

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