MMP3 and rheumatoid arthritis: In the current study, the levels of circulating SAA, a mediator of synthesis of MMP-3, as well as those of CRP, were found to be elevated in 74.4% and 76.1% of patients, respectively, and correlated significantly with measures of disease activity, as described in previous studies, some of which suggest that SAA is a more sensitive marker in RA than CRP.