<p>A: active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are shown in a representative gelatin zymography. B: MMP-9 activation in the serum was evaluated by densitometric analysis as percentage of active MMP-9 compared to controls (taken as 100%). Dots correspond to the activated MMP-9 value for each subject and black lines represent mean values within the experimental groups. Mean values ± SEM: TA 120±3.9; TVA 121±8.5; IAC 151.63±17.2; IIAC 163.81±16.6; IIIAC 164.2±10.6; IVAC 129.0±13.0. *Significantly different versus control group (p<0.01). C: serum levels of MMP-9 protein were detected by ELISA and expressed as ng/ml serum. Dots correspond to the MMP-9 value for each subject and black lines represent the mean values within the experimental groups. Mean values ± SEM: N 1.5±0.2; TA 1.9±0.3; TVA 1.9±0.3; I AC 2.7±0.3; IIAC 2.8±0.3; IIIAC 3.0±0.5; IVAC 2.6±0.4. *Significantly different versus control group (p<0.05). N: control; TA: tubular adenoma; TVA: tubulovillous adenoma; I-IV AC: malignant stages of adenocarcinoma.</p
