Abstract:Objective To investigate the relationship between MMP9 and COX2 gene polymorphisms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods A total of 71 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD group) and 63 cases of acute respiratory infection and healthy persons as the objects of study. PCR-RFLP method was used to determine the polymorphisms of MMP9 (R279Q) and COX2 (1195G>A). The relationships between different genotypes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were analyzed. Results Differences in MMP9 gene R279Q and GG and AA genotypes of COX2 (1195G>A) between the NC group and the COPD group had statistical significance (P = 0.010 and 0.021), the differences in the frequency of G and A alleles had statistical significance (P = 0.000). The G allele frequency at MMP9 R279Q locus (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.59-7.03, P = 0.000) and the A allele frequency of COX2 gene 1195G>A locus (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.57-6.82,P = 0.024) were the risk factors for COPD. MMP9 R279Q and COX2 1195G>A polymorphisms had correlations with FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC, MMP-9 and COX-2 (P = 0.015, 0.018, 0.009, 0.009, 0.021, 0.017, 0.015 and 0.000 respectively). Conclusions MMP9 gene R279Q and COX2 gene 1195G>A polymorphisms are the independent risk factors for COPD, and correlated with decrease of FEV1%pred and FEV1/FVC and increase of MMP-9 and COX-2.