MEASUREMENT OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE (MMP-3), TISSUE INHIBITOR OF METALLOPROTEINASE -1 (TIMP-1) AND PYRIDINOLINE IN PATIENTS WITH GENERALIZED OSTEOARTHRITIS Shereen Abd Al Fatah Al Gergawy and Eman R. Abd Algwad Rheumatology & Rehabilitaion, Clinical Pathology* Department Benha University Faculty of Medicine Key Words : Osteoarthritis, Disease Severity, MMP-3 , TIMP-1, Pyridinoline ABSTRACT Objectives: To compare serum level of metalloproteinase-3 plasma level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase -1 and urinary pyridinoline between patients with generalized osteoarthritis and normal subjects, to investigate whether the degree of joint involvement is related to those measurements. Methods: Twenty Eight females suffering of generalized OA and 10 apparently healthy matched females as controls were studied. Serum MMP-3, plasma TIMP-I and urinary pyridinoline were measured. The knee and hand joints were graded clinically (Steinbrocker) and radiologically (Keligren and Lawrence). Results: Serum level of MMP-3, plasma level of TIMP-I and urinary pyridinoline were significantly higher in generalized OA patients than normal controls. The joint space width decreased with increasing Keligren