Hematological inflammatory biomarkers in patients with alcohol and cocaine use disorders.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelets-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are biomarkers easy-to-obtain and could be used in clinical practice to verify an inflammatory status and are associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and cocaine use disorder (CUD). Our aim was to compare NLR, MLR and PLR among men with AUD and CUD and to assess the relationship between these biomarkers and addiction-related outcomes. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study comprising 979 inpatient men diagnosed with substance use disorder (391 with AUD and 588 with CUD) under hospital treatment for drug addiction. RESULTS: Individuals with AUD had higher NLR and MLR (p=0.041, p<0.001 respectively) compared to individuals with CUD. In the AUD group, positive correlations between age and MLR (r=0.111; p=0.029), NLR and liver enzymes ALT and AST (r=0.103, p=0.043; r=0.155, p=0.002; respectively), and MLR and ALT, AST and GGT levels were observed (r=0.173, p=0.001; r=0.242, p<0.001; r=0.167, p=0.001, respectively). Individuals with CUD showed a positive correlation between age and NLR (r=0.113; p=0.006). The presence of clinical comorbidities, HIV, HCV and syphilis were not associated with NLR, MLR, and PLR (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These biomarkers are a rapid and inexpensive way to assess the effects of substance use on the inflammatory profile. Our findings contribute with valuable insights into the distinctive inflammatory profiles associated with AUD and CUD. These insights could guide further research and the development of more studies, which could include control groups, in order to refine the clinical applicability of these biomarkers.

Modulation of neuropeptide Y levels is impaired in crack withdrawal patients.

Introduction The dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has a key role in drug addiction susceptibility. In addition to the well-known relationship between cortisol and the HPA axis, other molecules are involved with stress response and could modify the HPA activation, such as the neuropeptide Y (NPY), which has anxiolytic proprieties. There are few studies evaluating the effect of NPY levels on addiction, especially in crack cocaine dependence. Objective To evaluate NPY in crack users during early withdrawal to determine its relationship with drug use and cortisol levels. Methods We analyzed 25 male inpatient crack users. Serum NPY levels were measured at admission and discharge (mean of 24 days). Morning salivary cortisol was measured at admission. Results Serum NPY levels at admission and discharge were very similar. Lower NPY levels at discharge were associated with higher lifetime crack use. Also, a negative correlation was found between morning cortisol and delta NPY (NPY discharge - NPY admission). Conclusion These preliminary findings indicate that crack use influences the modulation of NPY levels and modifies stress response. The NPY pathway may play an important role in the pathophysiology of crack addiction, and the anxiolytic effect of NPY may be impaired in crack users. Future studies should consider NPY as a measurable indicator of the biological state in addiction.

Challenges and perspectives in porcine model of acute lung injury using oleic acid.

The oleic acid (OA) models of lung injury try to simulate the findings of human Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). However, these models are difficult to replicate because they vary in terms of animals species, OA doses, time for establishment of lung injury, different observation periods and settings of mechanical ventilation. The objective of this study was to evaluate a protocol of administration of OA in lung injury model, challenges in its development and its effects on respiratory mechanics, hemodynamic changes, histology, gas exchange and mortality. We then submitted ten Large White pigs to acute lung injury through intravenous infusion of acid oleic in the pulmonary artery. The mortality of the model was 50%, due to an intense hemodynamic instability during OA administration, even with early use of vasoactive drugs. Three animals required additional doses of OA to achieve criteria for acute lung injury. Histology showed findings consistent with acute lung injury. However, more pulmonary edema was observed in lower segments than in upper segments of both lungs (p = 0.01). IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly increased compared to normal lungs (p < 0.05), and IL-6 showed higher levels in upper segments compared to lower segments (p = 0.03). Positive cells for Caspase 3 were present in all samples, localized mainly in respiratory epithelial cells and macrophages. In conclusion, this model shows histological findings of acute lung injury and inflammatory response similar to those of clinical ARDS, it presents high mortality, inconsistent reproducibility and hardly controlled hemodynamic instability.

Predictive factors associated with driving under the influence among Brazilian drug-using drivers.

The incidence of driving under the influence of psychoactive substances (DUI) and its recidivism can be curtailed by the proper identification of specific and predictive characteristics among drug users. In this sense, interpersonal violence (IV), psychiatric comorbidity and impulsivity seem to play an important role in DUI engagement according to previous studies. There are, however, limited data originated from low and middle income countries. In the present study, drug-using Brazilian drivers reporting DUI (n = 75) presented a higher prevalence of bipolar disorders (BD; DUI: 8% vs. non-DUI: 0%, p < 0.001), lower prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; DUI: 0% vs. non-DUI: 12.6%, p < 0.001), and higher prevalence of childhood trauma (DUI: 65.3% vs. non-DUI: 46.8%, p = 0.022) than those not reporting DUI (n = 79). The evaluation of impulsivity though the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, which give impulsivity scores ranging from 30 to 120, showed higher impulsivity scores in the DUI group (80.4 ± 8) than in the non-DUI group (77.2 ± 10, p = 0.045). In general, subjects were young adults (mean age of 36 ± 9 years), Caucasians (58.4%), not married (61.0%), and with elementary schooling (40.3%) with no significant differences in demographic characteristics between drivers with and without DUI behavior. A multiple Poisson regression model showed that individuals reporting IV as perpetrators and history of childhood trauma were more likely to report DUI (PR: 1.66, 95%CI 1.22-2.7; PR: 1.57, 95%CI 1.02-2.42, respectively). The overlapping of violent situations (childhood trauma, IV and DUI) in some individuals presented here corroborates literature data suggesting that DUI can be an externalizing expression of a range of risky behavior, such as impulsiveness and aggressiveness. Moreover, while BD and higher impulsivity scores seem to act as risk factors for DUI, OCD was shown as a protective factor. These results corroborate the hypothesis that individuals with high risk for DUI could probably be identified by multidimensional assessment of cognitive, risky taking, and personality traits, which perhaps could facilitate the development of focused interventions.

Plasma levels of microRNA-21, -126 and -423-5p alter during clinical improvement and are associated with the prognosis of acute heart failure.

MicroRNAs are associated with myocardial damage and heart failure (HF). The present study investigated whether the plasma levels of microRNA (miR)­21, ­126 and ­423­5p alter according to the (de)compensated state of patients with HF and are associated with all­cause mortality. In 48 patients with HF admitted to the emergency room for an episode of acute decompensation, blood samples were collected to measure miR and B­type natriuretic peptide levels within 24 h of hospital admission, at the time of hospital discharge, and a number of weeks post­discharge (chronic stable compensated state). Levels of miR­21, miR­126 and miR­423­5p increased between admission and discharge, and decreased following clinical compensation. During follow­up (up to 48 months), 38 patients (79%) were rehospitalized at least once and 21 patients (44%) succumbed. Patients who had increased levels of miR­21 and miR­126 at the time of clinical compensation exhibited better 24­month survival and remained rehospitalization­free for a longer period compared with those with low levels. Additionally, patients whose levels of miR­423­5p increased between admission and clinical compensation experienced fewer hospital readmissions in the 24 months following the time of clinical compensation compared with those who had decreased levels. It was concluded that the plasma levels of miR­21, miR­126 and miR­423­5p altered during clinical improvement and were associated with the prognosis of acute decompensated HF.

Predictors of serious arrhythmic events in patients with nonischemic heart failure.

PURPOSE: Risk stratification of serious arrhythmic events in patients with nonischemic heart failure (HF), beyond estimates of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), remains an important clinical challenge. This study aims to determine the clinical value of different noninvasive and invasive tests as predictors of serious arrhythmic events in patients with nonischemic HF. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted including 106 nonischemic HF patients who underwent a comprehensive clinical and laboratory evaluation including two-dimensional echocardiography, 24-h Holter monitoring, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), and an invasive electrophysiological study. The study's primary end-point was either syncope, appropriate therapy by implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, or sudden cardiac death. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 704 ± 320 days, the primary end-point occurred in 15 patients (14.2%). In multivariable analysis, LV end-diastolic diameter >73 mm (hazard ratio [HR] 3.7; p = 0.016), exercise periodic breathing (EPB) on CPX (HR 2.88; p = 0.045), and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) ≥10 beats (HR 8.2; p < 0.01) remained independently associated with serious arrhythmic events. The positive predictive value of the presence of two of these predictors ranged from 44 to 100%. The absence of all three factors (n = 65, 61% of the sample) identified a subset of patients with low risk of future arrhythmic events, with a negative predictive value of 96.9%. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort study of nonischemic HF patients, LV dimension, EPB, and NSVT ≥10 beats were independent predictors of serious arrhythmic events. The presence or absence of these characteristics identified sub-groups of high and low risk of serious arrhythmic events, respectively.

Circulating microRNAs in obese and lean heart failure patients: A case-control study with computational target prediction analysis.

AIMS: MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate processes involved in both cardiac remodeling and obesity. We investigated if the expression of selected miRs in patients with heart failure (HF) is influenced by the presence of obesity. METHODS: In this case-control study, we compared plasma levels of miR-21, -130b, -221, -423-5p, and the -221/-130b ratio in 57 age- and gender-matched subjects: 40 HF patients (20 obese HF and 20 lean HF) and 17 lean healthy controls. Body composition was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. MiRs were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Bioinformatics analysis was performed based on miRs findings to predict their putative targets and investigate their biological function. RESULTS: HF was associated with increased miR-423-5p levels in both lean and obese patients (P<0.05 vs. controls) without differences between HF groups. MiR-130b levels were reduced in obese HF patients compared with HF lean (P=0.036) and controls (P=0.025). MiR-221 levels were non-significantly increased in obese HF patients. MiR-21 levels were not different among the groups. MiR-221/-130b ratio was increased in obese HF patients, and was positively associated with body fat percentage (r=0.43; P=0.002), body mass index (r=0.44; P=0.002), and waist circumference (r=0.40; P=0.020). Computational prediction of target genes followed by functional enrichment analysis indicated a relevant role of miR-130b and miR-221 in modulating the expression of genes associated to cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, and suggested their influence in important signaling mechanisms and in numerous processes related to the circulatory and endocrine systems. CONCLUSIONS: In HF patients, the presence of obesity is associated with a differential expression of selected miRs and the miR-221/-130b ratio had significant correlations with adiposity parameters. Computational target prediction analysis identified several interrelated pathways targeted by miR-130b and miR-221 with a known relationship with endocrine and cardiovascular diseases, representing potential mechanisms to be further validated.

An analysis of the global expression of microRNAs in an experimental model of physiological left ventricular hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. Studies of transgenic mouse models have indicated that deregulation of a single miR can induce pathological cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac failure. The roles of miRs in the genesis of physiological left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), however, are not well understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the global miR expression in an experimental model of exercise-induced LVH. METHODS: Male Balb/c mice were divided into sedentary (SED) and exercise (EXE) groups. Voluntary exercise was performed on an odometer-monitored metal wheels for 35 days. Various tests were performed after 7 and 35 days of training, including a transthoracic echocardiography, a maximal exercise test, a miR microarray (miRBase v.16) and qRT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: The ratio between the left ventricular weight and body weight was increased by 7% in the EXE group at day 7 (p<0.01) and by 11% at day 35 of training (p<0.001). After 7 days of training, the microarray identified 35 miRs that were differentially expressed between the two groups: 20 were up-regulated and 15 were down-regulated in the EXE group compared with the SED group (p = 0.01). At day 35 of training, 25 miRs were differentially expressed: 15 were up-regulated and 10 were decreased in the EXE animals compared with the SED animals (p<0.01). The qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated an increase in miR-150 levels after 35 days and a decrease in miR-26b, miR-27a and miR-143 after 7 days of voluntary exercise. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified new miRs that can modulate physiological cardiac hypertrophy, particularly miR-26b, -150, -27a and -143. Our data also indicate that previously established regulatory gene pathways involved in pathological LVH are not changed in physiological LVH.

Serum levels and polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in carotid artery atherosclerosis: higher MMP-9 levels are associated with plaque vulnerability.

CONTEXT: Matrix metalloproteinases are involved in atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability. OBJECTIVE: To investigate serum levels and genetic polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -1, -3 and -9 in patients submitted to carotid endarterectomy. METHODS: Genetic polymorphisms were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP); serum levels were measured using ELISA; histological sections were stained with Picrosirius Red to analyze the fibrous cap thickness, lipid core and collagen content and with hematoxylin--eosin to detect the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage. RESULTS: MMP-9 serum levels were significantly higher in patients with a thinner fibrous cap (p = 0.033) or acute or recent intraplaque hemorrhage (p = 0.008) on histology, as well as in patients with previous stroke (p = 0.009) or peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.049). No consistent associations were observed between different MMP genotypes and fibrous cap thickness, lipid core, collagen content or intraplaque hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-9 serum levels were consistently associated with markers of carotid atherosclerosis and lesion vulnerability, whereas specific MMP genotypes were not.

Alteração precoce da matriz extracelular e parâmetros diastólicos na síndrome metabólica / Early change of extracellular matrix and diastolic parameters in metabolic syndrome

FUNDAMENTOS: Síndrome Metabólica (SM) está associada com maior risco cardiovascular, porém não está claro se as alterações miocárdicas presentes nessa condição, como a disfunção diastólica, são consequência de mecanismos sistêmicos ou de efeitos diretos no miocárdio. OBJETIVOS: Comparar função diastólica, biomarcadores de atividade da Matriz Extracelular (MEC), inflamação e estresse hemodinâmico, em pacientes com SM e controles saudáveis. MÉTODOS: Pacientes com SM (n = 76) e controles saudáveis (n = 30) foram avaliados clinicamente e submetidos a exame ecocardiográfico e mensuração dos níveis plasmáticos de metaloproteinase-9 (MMP9), inibidor tecidual da metaloproteinase-1 (TIMP1), proteína C reativa ultrassensível (PCR-us), resistência insulínica (HOMA-RI) e NT-proBNP. RESULTADOS: O grupo SM apresentou menor onda E' (10,1 ± 3,0 cm/s vs. 11,9 ± 2,6 cm/s, p = 0,005), maiores valores para onda A (63,4 ± 14,1 vs. 53,1 ± 8,9 cm/s, p < 0,001), razão E/E'(8,0 ± 2,2 vs. 6,3 ± 1,2; p < 0,001), MMP9 (502,9 ± 237,1 vs. 330,4 ± 162,7 ng/mL, p < 0,001), PCR-us (p = 0,001) e HOMA-RI (p < 0,001), sem diferença nos níveis de TIMP1 e NT-proBNP. Na análise multivariada, apenas MMP9 foi independentemente associada a SM. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com SM apresentaram diferenças em medidas ecocardiográficas de função diastólica, na atividade da MEC, PCR-us e HOMA-RI em relação aos controles. Porém, somente MMP9 foi independentemente associada com SM. Esses achados sugerem que os efeitos precoces da SM sobre a atividade da MEC podem não ser detectados nas medidas ecocardiográficas de função diastólica usuais.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. It is not clear whether myocardial changes showed in this syndrome, such as diastolic dysfunction, are due to the systemic effects of the syndrome, or to specific myocardial effects. OBJECTIVES: Compare diastolic function, biomarkers representing extracellular matrix activity (ECM), inflammation and cardiac hemodynamic stress in patients with the MS and healthy controls. METHODS: MS patients (n=76) and healthy controls (n=30) were submitted to a clinical assessment, echocardiographic study, and measurement of plasma levels of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1), ultrasensitive-reactive-C-Protein (us-CRP), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). RESULTS: MS group showed lower E' wave (10.1 ± 3.0 cm/s vs 11.9 ± 2.6 cm/s, p = 0.005), increased A wave (63.4 ± 14.1 cm/s vs. 53.1 ± 8.9 cm/s; p < 0.001), E/E' ratio (8.0 ± 2.2 vs. 6.3 ± 1.2; p < 0.001), MMP9 (502.9 ± 237.1 ng/mL vs. 330.4±162.7 ng/mL; p < 0.001), us-CRP (p = 0.001) and HOMA-IR (p < 0.001), but no difference for TIMP1 or NT-proBNP levels. In a multivariable analysis, only MMP9 was independently associated with MS. CONCLUSION: MS patients showed differences for echocardiographic measures of diastolic function, ECM activity, us-CRP and HOMA-IR when compared to controls. However, only MMP9 was independently associated with the MS. These findings suggest that there are early effects on ECM activity, which cannot be tracked by routine echocardiographic measures of diastolic function.

Early change of extracellular matrix and diastolic parameters in metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. It is not clear whether myocardial changes showed in this syndrome, such as diastolic dysfunction, are due to the systemic effects of the syndrome, or to specific myocardial effects. OBJECTIVES: Compare diastolic function, biomarkers representing extracellular matrix activity (ECM), inflammation and cardiac hemodynamic stress in patients with the MS and healthy controls. METHODS: MS patients (n = 76) and healthy controls (n=30) were submitted to a clinical assessment, echocardiographic study, and measurement of plasma levels of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1), ultrasensitive-reactive-C-Protein (us-CRP), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). RESULTS: MS group showed lower E' wave (10.1 ± 3.0 cm/s vs 11.9 ± 2.6 cm/s, p = 0.005), increased A wave (63.4 ± 14.1 cm/s vs. 53.1 ± 8.9 cm/s; p < 0.001), E/E' ratio (8.0 ± 2.2 vs. 6.3 ± 1.2; p < 0.001), MMP9 (502.9 ± 237.1 ng/mL vs. 330.4 ± 162.7 ng/mL; p < 0.001), us-CRP (p = 0.001) and HOMA-IR (p < 0.001), but no difference for TIMP1 or NT-proBNP levels. In a multivariable analysis, only MMP9 was independently associated with MS. CONCLUSION: MS patients showed differences for echocardiographic measures of diastolic function, ECM activity, us-CRP and HOMA-IR when compared to controls. However, only MMP9 was independently associated with the MS. These findings suggest that there are early effects on ECM activity, which cannot be tracked by routine echocardiographic measures of diastolic function.

Polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in systolic heart failure: an haplotype analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms have been associated with the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, but few studies have evaluated the role of eNOS haplotypes on the risk and prognosis of heart failure (HF). This prospective study was designed to analyze the impact of three eNOS polymorphisms (T-786C, VNTR4a/b and Glu298Asp) and their haplotypes on the susceptibility and clinical outcomes in HF outpatients with systolic dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a case-control and a cohort study in which 316 HF patients and 360 healthy controls were recruited from a tertiary care university hospital. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and eNOS polymorphisms were detected by PCR or PCR-RFLP. Patients were predominantly men, had a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 31% and were followed-up for a median of 41months; there were 96 deaths, including 58 HF-related deaths. Genotype distribution of the eNOS T-786C, VNTR 4a/b and Glu298Asp was similar between HF patients and controls. Haplotype frequencies differed between HF patients and controls only in African-Brazilians (p=0.043). African-Brazilian patients that carried the haplotype -786C/4b/Asp298 had a better prognosis than patients that carried other haplotypes (log rank p value=0.016 for all-cause mortality). In a Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for clinical variables of risk, the -786C/4b/Asp298 haplotype remained as an independent genetic predictor of survival (adjusted HR=0.11; 95% CI=0.01-0.83; p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The -786C/4b/Asp298 eNOS haplotype had a significant impact on HF susceptibility and prognosis, particularly in African-Brazilian patients.

Polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases in systolic heart failure: role on disease susceptibility, phenotypic characteristics, and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) polymorphisms on heart failure (HF) susceptibility, phenotypic characteristics, and prognosis has been poorly explored. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 313 HF patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and 367 healthy control subjects. Genotyping of MMP-1 (-1607 1G/2G), MMP-3 (-1171 5A/6A), and MMP-9 (-1562 C/T) polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Allelic and genotypic frequencies of MMP-1, -3, and -9 were similar in HF patients and controls. MMP1 2G allele carriers were positively associated to ischemic etiology and history of myocardial infarction (all P values <.05). Patients were followed-up for a median of 40 months and 58 HF-related deaths occurred during this period. HF-related survival was significantly better in MMP1 2G allele carriers (71% versus 42% for 1G/1G patients, P = .002) and in MMP-3 6A allele carriers (70% versus 61% for 5A/5A patients, P = .064), particularly in non-ischemic patients (P = .039). MMP1 2G allele was independently associated to HF survival after adjustment for several other predictors of risk (hazard ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.27 to 0.82; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: MMP-1, -3, and -9 polymorphisms were not associated to HF susceptibility. However, MMP1 2G allele carriers were related to a higher prevalence of ischemic etiology among patients with systolic HF and better HF-related prognosis.

Genetic polymorphisms of the adrenergic system and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapies in patients with heart failure.

AIMS: We investigated whether the combination of beta(1)-Gly389Arg and GNB3 C825T, two genetic polymorphisms strictly related to adrenergic system modulation, could act as predictors of appropriate therapies in patients with heart failure (HF) using implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with HF and ICD implantation for primary and secondary prevention were studied. All ICD therapies were registered and classified as appropriate (secondary to ventricular tachycardia) or inappropriate (others). Genetic analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Seventy-three patients with mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 35 +/- 11% were evaluated. Overall, 35 ICD therapies occurred during follow-up in 31 (42.5%) patients. Twenty-four therapies (33%) were appropriate, and 11 (15%) were inappropriate. Individual analysis of each polymorphism only identified T825 carriers of GNB3 C825T as predictor of appropriate shocks. The combined presence of risk genotypes (Arg389 of the beta(1)-Gly389Arg and T825 of the GNB3 C825T) identified patients with higher risk of appropriate shocks. Patients with two at-risk genotypes had a survival rate free of appropriate shocks lower than those with none or only one of these markers (87 vs. 54%, respectively; log-rank statistic = 0.006). Using a Cox regression model, each at-risk genotype was associated with an increment of risk of appropriate ICD shocks (odds ratio = 3.9, 95% confidence interval of 1.3-12.0; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Genetic polymorphisms of the adrenergic system may help to identify HF patients who are more likely to receive appropriate ICD therapies. Further studies are necessary to determine the clinical applicability of these polymorphisms as predictors of arrhythmias.

Matrix metalloproteinase gene polymorphisms in patients with coronary artery disease

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the pathology underlying the majority of coronary artery disease (CAD). In this study we tested the hypothesis that polymorphic variation in the MMP genes influences the risk of developing atherosclerosis. We analyzed functional polymorphisms in the promoter of the MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9 and MMP-12 genes in 183 Brazilian Caucasian individuals submitted to coronary angiography, of which 67 (37 percent) had normal coronary arteries (control group) and 116 (63 percent) had CAD (CAD patient group). The -1607 1G/2G MMP-1, -1171 5A/6A MMP-3, -1562 C/T MMP-9, -82 A/G MMP-12 polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR followed by restriction digestion. No significant differences were observed in allele frequencies between the CAD patients and controls. Haplotype analysis showed no differences between the CAD patients and controls. There was a significant difference in the severity of CAD, as assessed by the number of diseased vessels, in MMP-1 1G/1G homozygous individuals and in those homozygous for the 6A allele of the MMP-3 polymorphism. However, multivariate analysis showed that diabetes mellitus was the only variable independently associated with CAD severity. Our findings indicated that MMP polymorphisms have no significant impact on the risk and severity of CAD.