Production and activity of matrix metalloproteinases during liver fibrosis progression of chronic hepatitis C patients

Figure 2 Matrix metalloproteinase concentrations in serum of chronic hepatitis C patients and healthy individuals. The serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -7 and-9 were simultaneously determined in chronic hepatitis C patients (black bars) and healthy subjects (white bars) by multiplex suspension array technology, and the values were expressed in ng/mL. Statistical differences were obtained through the Mann-Whitney U test. Data are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. ^aP < 0.05; ^cP < 0.001.