Does Arterial Hypertension Affect Plasma Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitors in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease? A Preliminary Study

Abstract EN

Background.

Arterial hypertension (HT) is a serious and prevalent epidemiological factor in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-2 and MMP-9, and their natural endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are involved in the pathogenesis of HT and its complications.

MMPs are also involved in the development of diabetes (DM), a risk factor for CAD.

The aim of the study was to explore the influence of CAD, HT, and DM on changes in plasma levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their inhibitor TIMP-4.

Methods and Results.

The study involved 70 patients with stable CAD admitted for coronary angiography and 15 healthy subjects.

Whole blood samples were collected prior to angiography.

MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-4 levels in plasma were estimated using ELISA tests.

CAD patients showed a significantly increased level of TIMP-4 and decreased level of MMP-2 in comparison to healthy controls (p=0.011 and p=0.037, respectively).

Concentration of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-4 did not differ in the group with and without hypertension.

Patients with DM presented higher MMP-2 level than patients without DM (p<0.001).

Multiple regression analysis of the influence of independent variables such as CAD stage, DM, and HT on MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-4 showed that only DM was independently associated with a higher level of MMP-2 (β = 0.42, R2 = 0.17, p<0.001).

Conclusion.

Data showed that patients with CAD presented higher TIMP-4 and lower MMP-2 concentration regardless of HT and DM.

HT had no effect on MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-4 levels in serum.

DM was independently associated with higher MMP-2 concentration; however, co-occurrence of CAD and DM was associated with the balance in the MMP-2 level.

Concentration of MMP-9 did not change significantly in any of the analysed groups.