Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Impaired chronic wound healing is a great challenge for modern medicine. This process causes ulceration especially in the course of diseases such as type II diabetes mellitus. AIM: This study assesses the concentration of selected matrix metalloproteinases in the example of metalloproteinase 2, 3, 9, 13 in patients with impaired healing of chronic wounds as a complication of type 2 diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nineteen people took part in the assessment of wound healing in patients with type 2 diabetes. The control group consisted of 21 healthy people. In the blood serum the concentration of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9 and MMP-13 was determined. RESULTS: The concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-3 in the group of patients with ulcers were significantly higher (61% and 84% accordingly) compared to those in the control group without chronic wounds. No statistically significant differences in MMP-9 and MMP-13 concentrations were observed between the study and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in MMP-2 concentration, which is particularly active in the degradation of type IV collagen, which is the main component of the basal membranes, in patients with type 2 diabetes may impede and delay the healing of chronic wounds and thus contribute to the intensification of vascular complications. In turn, the increase in MMP-3 concentration, which plays a significant role in vascular diseases, in patients with type 2 diabetes may lead to intensification of atherosclerotic changes involving the arteries of the lower extremities and ulceration.