Correlation Between Plasma Matrix Metalloproteinase-28 Levels and Severity of Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis.

BACKGROUND Calcific aortic valve disease is a common cardiovascular disorder worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between plasma matrix metalloproteinase-28 (MMP-28) levels and the severity of calcific aortic valve stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Calcific aortic valve stenosis patients who were admitted to the heart center of our hospital between January 2016 and January 2019 to undergo surgery were successively enrolled in this study (55 males and 24 females with an average age of 58.5±9.6). Information on echocardiography, plasma MMP-28 levels, and other clinical data of the patients was retrospectively collected. RESULTS The average plasma MMP-28 level was 2.43±2.22 ng/mL (range, 0.22-8.27 ng/mL). Plasma MMP-28 levels in patients with mild (n=24), moderate (n=31), or severe (n=24) aortic valve stenosis were 0.74 (0.25-2.23), 1.46 (0.50-3.22), and 4.13 (1.54-6.18) ng/mL, respectively, indicating that the patients with severe aortic valve stenosis had significantly higher MMP-28 levels than the patients with moderate or mild aortic valve stenosis (both P<0.01). Regression analysis using the general linear model further revealed that plasma MMP-28 level was correlated with the peak blood flow velocity and mean pressure gradient of the transaortic valve, and the correlations were statistically significant (both P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS MMP-28 level is significantly elevated in severe cases of calcific aortic valve stenosis. Moreover, plasma MMP-28 levels are positively correlated with the mean pressure gradients and peak blood flow velocity of the transaortic valve.

Selected Metal Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases as Potential Biomarkers for Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis in Children with Unilateral Hydronephrosis.

Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis caused by congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) may lead to the development of obstructive nephropathy (ON) and the impairment of kidney function. Hence, the identification of early biomarkers of this condition might be of assistance in therapeutic decisions. This study evaluates serum and urinary metalloproteinases MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 as potential biomarkers of ON in children with congenital unilateral hydronephrosis (HN) caused by UPJO. Forty-five (45) children with congenital HN of different grades of severity and twenty-one (21) healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Urinary and serum concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were measured using specific ELISA kits. The urinary excretions were expressed as biomarker/creatinine (Cr) ratios. To evaluate the extracellular matrix remodelling process activity, the serum and urinary MMP-1, -2, -9/TIMP-1, -2 ratios were also calculated. In comparison with the controls, patients with HN, independent of the grade, showed significantly increased median serum MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2, median urinary MMP-9/Cr, and TIMP-2/Cr ratios. Lower median values of serum MMP-2/TIMP-1, MMP-9/TIMP-1 in patients with HN were also revealed. Additionally, higher urinary MMP-2/Cr, lower urinary MMP-2/TIMP-2, and lower serum MMP-9/TIMP-2 ratios were observed in patients with HN grades 3 and 4. Patients with ON diagnosed by renal scintigraphy had a significantly higher median serum MMP-9 concentration and lower median serum MMP-9/TIMP-1, -2 ratios in comparison with those without this condition. Patients with nonglomerular proteinuria had a significantly higher median serum TIMP-1 concentration, a higher median urinary TIMP-2/Cr ratio, and a lower serum MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio compared to those without this symptom. The relationship between the measured biomarkers and the relative function of the obstructed kidney showed no correlations. The ROC curve analysis showed a promising diagnostic profile for the detection of ON for serum MMP-9 and the serum MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-2 ratios. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that patients with HN, particularly with grades 3 and 4, are at higher risk of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The noninvasive markers of this condition considered are urinary MMP-2/Cr and MMP-9/Cr, serum MMP-9, serum and urinary MMP-2, MMP-9/TIMP-1, -2. Additionally, serum MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1, -2 may become promising markers of ON.

Association between MMP/TIMP Levels in the Aqueous Humor and Plasma with Axial Lengths in Myopia Patients.

PURPOSE: The present study investigated the profiles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) of the aqueous humor (AH) and plasma (PL) in myopia patients, to determine whether there was an association between these levels with their axial length (AL) and to investigate if MMPs/TIMPs were regulated locally or systemically. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Thirty-nine patients (78 eyes) diagnosed with high myopia were recruited. The AL was measured using IOL Master. And the patients were divided into three groups based on their AL, Group A (AL ≤ 26 mm), Group B (26 < AL ≤ 28 mm), and Group C (AL > 28 mm). The AH in both eyes and blood samples were collected before the patients underwent implantable collamer lens surgery. In all, 78 samples of the AH and 39 samples of the PL were analyzed using MILLIPLEX map assays, followed by statistical analyses of the results. RESULTS: There were 8 patients (16 eyes) in Group A, 22 patients (44 eyes) in Group B, and 9 patients (18 eyes) in Group C. MMP-1 (p = 0.014, Β = 0.118), MMP-2 (p ≤ 0.001, Β = 0.278), MMP-9 (p ≤ 0.001, Β = 0.019), and TIMP-1 (p = 0.014, Β = 0.062) in the AH were positively associated with the AL. MMP-1 (p = 0.004, Β = 0.001) and TIMP-1 (p = 0.030, Β = 1.171) concentrations in the PL increased linearly with longer ALs. No concentration-dependent relationship was found between MMP-2 in the PL and AL. CONCLUSIONS: There was a consistent relationship between MMP-2 in the AH and AL. AL was not consistently or substantially affected by MMP-2 in the PL, indicating myopia formation was possibly a localized process. Associations among MMP-1, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in the AH and AL were also observed.

Circulating Matrix Metalloproteinase-28 Levels Are Related to GRACE Scores and Short-Term Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the level of matrix metalloproteinase-28 (MMP-28) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) scores as well as their short-term prognosis. METHODS: Two hundred eleven patients with AMI were enrolled, and their basic clinical characteristics were collected for determining the GRACE score. We measured the plasma levels of MMP-28 and other biomarkers in the study population. The association of MMP-28 levels with cardiac events and cardiac deaths occurring within 30 days of discharge was evaluated with multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: The MMP-28 levels were significantly higher in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) than in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the level of MMP-28 was positively correlated with the GRACE score in patients with AMI (R 2 = 0.366, P < 0.05). Cox multivariate regression results showed that MMP-28 was associated with cardiovascular events during the hospitalization and 30 days after discharge (P < 0.01). In addition, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that cardiac events and deaths were significantly higher in patients with MMP-28 ≥ 1.21 ng/mL (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between the plasma MMP-28 level and GRACE score in patients with AMI. MMP-28 is also associated with cardiovascular events and cardiovascular deaths during the hospitalization of patients and within 30 days of discharge.

Locomotion replacement exercise cannot counteract cartilage biomarker response to 5 days of immobilization in healthy adults.

Biomarkers of cartilage metabolism are sensitive to changes in the biological and mechanical environment and can indicate early changes in cartilage homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine if a daily locomotion replacement program can serve as a countermeasure for changes in cartilage biomarker serum concentration caused by immobilization. Ten healthy male subjects (mean ± 1 standard deviation; age: 29.4 ± 5.9 years; body mass: 77.7 ± 4.1 kg) participated in the crossover 5-day bed rest study with three interventions: control (CON), standing (STA), and locomotion replacement training (LRT). Serum samples were taken before, during, and after bed rest. Biomarker concentrations were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels after 24 hours of bed rest decreased independently of the intervention (-16.8% to -9.8%) and continued to decrease until 72 hours of bed rest (minimum, -23.2% to -20.6%). LRT and STA did not affect COMP during bed rests (P = .056) but there was a strong tendency for a slower decrease with LRT (-9.4%) and STA (-11.7%) compared with CON (-16.8%). MMP-3 levels decreased within the first 24 hours of bed rest (CON: -22.3%; STA: -14.7%; LRT: -17%) without intervention effect. Both COMP and MMP-3 levels recovered to baseline levels during the 6-day recovery period. MMP-1, MMP-9, and TNF-α levels were not affected by immobilization or intervention. COMP and MMP-3 are mechano-sensitive cartilage biomarkers affected by immobilization, and simple interventions such as standing upright or LRT during bed rest cannot prevent these changes. Clinical significance: simple locomotion interventions cannot prevent cartilage biomarker change during bed rest.

Circulating matrix metalloproteinases and tissue metalloproteinase inhibitors in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the multicenter IPF-PRO Registry cohort.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) play important roles in the turnover of extracellular matrix and in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study aimed to determine the utility of circulating MMPs and TIMPs in distinguishing patients with IPF from controls and to explore associations between MMPs/TIMPs and measures of disease severity in patients with IPF. METHODS: The IPF cohort (n = 300) came from the IPF-PRO Registry, an observational multicenter registry of patients with IPF that was diagnosed or confirmed at the enrolling center in the past 6 months. Controls (n = 100) without known lung disease came from a population-based registry. Generalized linear models were used to compare circulating concentrations of MMPs 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 13 and TIMPs 1, 2, and 4 between patients with IPF and controls, and to investigate associations between circulating levels of these proteins and measures of IPF severity. Multivariable models were fit to identify the MMP/TIMPs that best distinguished patients with IPF from controls. RESULTS: All the MMP/TIMPs analyzed were present at significantly higher levels in patients with IPF compared with controls except for TIMP2. Multivariable analyses selected MMP8, MMP9 and TIMP1 as top candidates for distinguishing patients with IPF from controls. Higher concentrations of MMP7, MMP12, MMP13 and TIMP4 were significantly associated with lower diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) % predicted and higher composite physiologic index (worse disease). MMP9 was associated with the composite physiologic index. No MMP/TIMPs were associated with forced vital capacity % predicted. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating MMPs and TIMPs were broadly elevated among patients with IPF. Select MMP/TIMPs strongly associated with measures of disease severity. Our results identify potential MMP/TIMP targets for further development as disease-related biomarkers.

A novel miRNA-4484 is up-regulated on microarray and associated with increased MMP-21 expression in serum of systemic sclerosis patients.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex, heterogeneous connective tissue disease, characterized by fibrosis and ECM deposition in skin and internal organs, autoimmunity, and changes in the microvasculature. Profiling of circulating miRNAs in serum has been found to be changed in pathological states, creating new possibilities for molecular diagnostics as blood-based biomarkers. This study was designed to identify miRNAs that are differentially expressed in SSc and might be potentially contributing to the disease etiopathogenesis or be used for diagnostic purposes. Thus, we compared the expression pattern of multiple miRNAs in serum of 10 SSc patients to 6 healthy controls using microarray analysis, and RT-qPCR to confirm the obtained results. In addition, bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore miRNAs target genes and the signaling pathways that may be potentially involved in SSc pathogenesis. Our study shows a different expression of 15 miRNAs in SSc patients. We identified that miR-4484, located on chromosome 10q26.2, was an 18-fold up-regulated in SSc patients compared to a control group. Bioinformatics analysis of the miR-4484 target genes and the signaling pathways showed that it might be potentially involved in the TGF-ß signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, and metalloproteinases expression. Based on the chromosomal location, the most interesting target gene of miR-4484 may be MMP-21. We found that the expression of MMP-21 significantly increased in SSc patients compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that miR-4484, and MMP-21 might be novel serum biomarkers that may correspond to pathological fibrosis in SSc, but it needs to be validated in further studies.

Identification of MMP28 as a biomarker for the differential diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease of unknown etiology. The diagnosis is based on the identification of a pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia either by high resolution computed tomography and/or histology. However, a similar pattern can be observed in other fibrotic lung disorders, and precise diagnosis remains challenging. Studies on biomarkers contributing to the differential diagnosis are scanty, and still in an exploratory phase. Our aim was to evaluate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-28, which has been implicated in abnormal wound healing, as a biomarker for distinguishing IPF from fibrotic non-IPF patients. METHODS: The cell localization of MMP28 in lungs was examined by immunohistochemistry and its serum concentration was measured by ELISA in two different populations. The derivation cohort included 82 IPF and 69 fibrotic non-IPF patients. The validation cohort involved 42 IPF and 41 fibrotic non-IPF patients. RESULTS: MMP28 was detected mainly in IPF lungs and localized in epithelial cells. In both cohorts, serum concentrations of MMP28 were significantly higher in IPF versus non-IPF (mostly with lung fibrosis associated to autoimmune diseases and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis) and healthy controls (ANOVA, p<0.0001). The AUC of the derivation cohort was 0.718 (95%CI, 0.635-0.800). With a cutoff point of 4.5 ng/mL, OR was 5.32 (95%CI, 2.55-11.46), and sensitivity and specificity of 70.9% and 69% respectively. The AUC of the validation cohort was 0.690 (95%CI, 0.581-0.798), OR 4.57 (95%CI, 1.76-12.04), and sensitivity and specificity of 69.6% and 66.7%. Interestingly, we found that IPF patients with definite UIP pattern on HRCT showed higher serum concentrations of MMP28 than non-IPF patients with the same pattern (7.8±4.4 versus 4.9±4.4; p = 0.04). By contrast, no differences were observed when IPF with possible UIP-pattern were compared (4.7±3.2 versus 3.9±3.0; p = 0.43). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that MMP28 might be a useful biomarker to improve the diagnostic certainty of IPF.

Associations between advanced glycation endproducts and matrix metalloproteinases and its inhibitor in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and altered extracellular matrix remodeling by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) are associated with vascular complications in type 1 diabetes. Experimental studies have shown that AGEs regulate the production of MMPs and/or TIMP-1. Therefore, we investigated associations between specific AGEs and MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, and -10, and TIMP-1 in individuals with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: In 670 type 1 diabetic individuals we determined serum levels of protein-bound AGEs Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), 5-hydro-5-methylimidazolone (MG-H1) and pentosidine, and MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, and -10, and TIMP-1. We performed linear regression analyses to investigate associations between AGEs and markers of the MMP-TIMP system. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, HbA1c and duration of diabetes, and additionally for other potential confounders and presence of vascular complication. RESULTS: After full adjustment, levels of CML were positively associated with levels of MMP-2 and inversely with MMP-9. CEL was positively associated with MMP-3 and TIMP-1. MG-H1 was only associated with TIMP-1, whereas pentosidine was not associated with MMPs or TIMP-1. CONCLUSIONS: We showed independent associations between several AGEs and markers of the MMP-TIMP system, which indicate specific AGE-MMP/TIMP-1 interactions potentially contributing to vascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Relevance of matrix metalloproteases in non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The need for novel biomarkers that could aid in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) detection, together with the relevance of Matrix Metalloproteases (MMPs) -1, -2, -7, -9 and -10 in lung tumorigenesis, prompted us to assess the diagnostic usefulness of these MMPs and the Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase (TIMP) -1 in NSCLC patients. METHODS: Markers were evaluated in an initial study cohort (19 NSCLC cases and 19 healthy controls). Those that better performed were analyzed in a larger sample including patients with benign lung diseases. Serum MMPs and TIMP-1 were determined by multiplexed immunoassays. Logistic regression was employed for multivariate analysis of biomarker combinations. RESULTS: MMPs and TIMP-1 were elevated in the serum of NSCLC patients compared to healthy controls. MMP-1, -7 and -9 performed at best and were further evaluated in the sample including benign pathologies, corroborating the superiority of MMP-9 in NSCLC discrimination, also at early-stage NSCLC. The optimal diagnostic value was obtained with the model including MMP-9, gender, age and smoking history, that demonstrated an AUC of 0.787, 85.54% sensitivity and 64.89% specificity. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that MMP-9 is a potential biomarker for NSCLC diagnosis and its combined measurement with other biomarkers could improve NSCLC detection.

MMP26: A potential biomarker for prostate cancer.

The application of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) has improved the clinical management of PCa patients. However, the PSA assay has been faced with criticism due to its potential association with over-diagnosis and subsequent overtreatment of indolent patients. Matrix metalloproteinase-26 (MMP26) is a member of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and has been reported to be highly expressed in many cancers. This investigation evaluated the potential of serum MMP26 as a biomarker for PCa. The level of serum MMP26 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 160 subjects including PCa group (n=80), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) group (n=40) and control group (n=40). Furthermore, we evaluated the expression of MMP26 in tissues by immunohistochemistry. The results showed the serum MMP26 levels were significantly higher in PCa group than in BPH group and control group. Similarly, the MMP26 protein was positive in PCa tissues and negative in BPH tissues and control tissues. In conclusion, these results suggested MMP26 could be used as a potential serum biomarker in the diagnosis of PCa.

Plasma matrix metalloproteinases are associated with incident cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes: a 12-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Altered regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) may contribute to vascular complications in type 1 diabetes. We investigated associations between plasma MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, -10 and TIMP-1, and cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in type 1 diabetic patients. METHODS: We prospectively followed 337 type 1 diabetic patients [mean age 41.4 years (9.6), 39% female], 170 with and 167 without diabetic nephropathy, with median follow-up of 12.3 years. Survival analyses were applied to investigate differences in plasma MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, -10, and TIMP-1-levels in patients with and without a cardiovascular event and in those who died vs survivors. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, nephropathy and for other conventional cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: After adjustment for potential confounders, higher MMP-2 plasma levels were significantly associated with higher incidence of cardiovascular events [HR 1.49 (95% CI 1.11; 1.99)], and higher plasma levels of MMP-1 [1.38 (1.07; 1.78)], MMP-2 [1.60 (1.19; 2.15)] and MMP-3 [1.39 (1.05; 1.85)] were associated with all-cause mortality. All associations were independent of low-grade inflammation and endothelial dysfunction as estimated by plasma markers. Associations between MMP-2 and cardiovascular events and between MMP-3 and mortality were attenuated after further adjustment for eGFR and changes in eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of MMP-2 are associated with CVD and higher MMP-1, -2 and -3 with all-cause mortality. In addition, associations between MMP-2 and CVD, and MMP-3 and mortality were attenuated after adjustment for eGFR while both MMPs were associated with eGFR decline, indicating a possible mediating role of eGFR.

A panel of novel biomarkers representing different disease pathways improves prediction of renal function decline in type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify a novel panel of biomarkers predicting renal function decline in type 2 diabetes, using biomarkers representing different disease pathways speculated to contribute to the progression of diabetic nephropathy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A systematic data integration approach was used to select biomarkers representing different disease pathways. Twenty-eight biomarkers were measured in 82 patients seen at an outpatient diabetes center in The Netherlands. Median follow-up was 4.0 years. We compared the cross-validated explained variation (R2) of two models to predict eGFR decline, one including only established risk markers, the other adding a novel panel of biomarkers. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used for model estimation. The C-index was calculated to assess improvement in prediction of accelerated eGFR decline defined as <-3.0 mL/min/1.73m2/year. RESULTS: Patients' average age was 63.5 years and baseline eGFR was 77.9 mL/min/1.73m2. The average rate of eGFR decline was -2.0 ± 4.7 mL/min/1.73m2/year. When modeled on top of established risk markers, the biomarker panel including matrix metallopeptidases, tyrosine kinase, podocin, CTGF, TNF-receptor-1, sclerostin, CCL2, YKL-40, and NT-proCNP improved the explained variability of eGFR decline (R2 increase from 37.7% to 54.6%; p=0.018) and improved prediction of accelerated eGFR decline (C-index increase from 0.835 to 0.896; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: A novel panel of biomarkers representing different pathways of renal disease progression including inflammation, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and endothelial function improved prediction of eGFR decline on top of established risk markers in type 2 diabetes. These results need to be confirmed in a large prospective cohort.

[Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and 19 in the patients with pneumoconiosis].

OBJECTIVE: To measure peripheral serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and matrix metalloproteinase 19 (MMP19) in patients with pneumoconiosis, and to investigate their feasibility as potential biomarkers for pneumoconiosis. METHODS: Ninety-eight male patients with pneumoconiosis (49 patients in phase I, 36 patients in phase II, and 13 patients in phase III) were enrolled as subjects, which included 41 patients with silicosis and 57 patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Ninety-eight healthy male physical examinees were used as controls. A fasting blood sample (3 ml) was collected from the peripheral venous blood of each patient or control, and the serum was separated from the blood sample. The expression levels of MMP9 and MMP19 in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Serum levels of MMP9 and MMP19 in patients with silicosis or coal workers' pneumoconiosis were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of MMP19 in patients with silicosis were significantly higher than those in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (P < 0.05). Serum levels of MMP19 in patients exposed to dust for less than 7 years were significantly higher than those in patients exposed to dust for more than 20 years (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in serum levels of MMP9 and MMP19 between patients with different levels of pulmonary function impairment (P > 0.05). Serum expression levels of MMP9 and MMP19 were positively correlated with each other in both patients with pneumoconiosis and those in the control group (P < 0.05). The serum expression level of MMP9 was negatively correlated with the stage of pneumoconiosis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum MMP9 and MMP19 may be used as potential biomarkers for pneumoconiosis.

Comparative analysis of the influence of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi on a rat lumbar disc herniation model.

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a term used for a group of conditions, including back pain, femoral nerve pain and sciatica. Currently available treatments and surgical options are insufficient for patients with LDH. Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) is a herb that is used for treating age-associated diseases. The results of the present study suggested that FLL may be used for treatment of patients with LDH. In the present study, matrix metalloproteinase-1, -3, -8 and -9 (MMP-1, -3, -8 and -9) protein and mRNA expression downregulation was observed in patients with LDH according to western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. By contrast, upregulation of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression was observed in patients with LDH, according to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mechanical allodynia was observed in rats with LDH not treated with FLL; however, not in FLL­treated rats. IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α expression levels in the serum from untreated rats were significantly higher than that of the FLL­treated rat models. Protein expression levels of MMPs in FLL-treated rats were lower than those in untreated rats. However, the mechanisms underlying the association between FLL and protein expression levels require further investigation.

Characterization of interleukin-33 and matrix metalloproteinase-28 in serum and their association with disease severity in patients with coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate serum levels of interleukin (IL)-33 and matrix metalloproteinase-28 (MMP-28) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and to evaluate their association with disease severity. METHODS: A total of 103 patients with CHD, including 27 cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 33 cases of unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and 43 cases of stable angina pectoris were enrolled to detect serum levels of IL-33 and MMP-28 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Forty volunteers without CHD served as the control group. RESULTS: Compared with stable angina pectoris and control groups, serum levels of IL-33 were significantly lower (P<0.01) and serum concentrations of MMP-28 were higher (P<0.05) in AMI and UAP groups. Serum levels of IL-33 in single-vessel, double-vessel and triple-vessel lesion groups were lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the differences among the three groups were not significant (P>0.05), whereas only levels of MMP-28 in double-vessel and triple-vessel lesion groups were higher than in the control group (P<0.05). Spearman's correlation analyses showed a negative correlation between serum levels of IL-33 and MMP-28 in AMI and UAP groups (r=-0.596, P<0.05 and r=-0.750, P<0.01). A binary logistic regression analysis showed that IL-33, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and MMP-28 may be independent predictors of the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome. CONCLUSION: A decreased level of IL-33 and an elevated concentration of MMP-28 were found in CHD patients and correlated with disease severity. IL-33 and MMP-28 may play important roles in the development of CHD or as markers of disease severity.

Circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in patients with incisional hernia.

Incisional hernia formation is a common complication to laparotomy and possibly associated with alterations in connective tissue metabolism. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are closely involved in the metabolism of the extracellular matrix. Our aim was to study serum levels of multiple MMPs and TIMPs in patients with and without incisional hernia. Out of 305 patients who underwent laparotomy, 79 (25.9%) developed incisional hernia over a median follow-up period of 3.7 years. Pooled sera from a subset (n = 72) of these patients were screened for MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-12, MMP-13, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and TIMP-4 using a multiplex sandwich fluorescent immunoassay supplemented with gelatin zymography. The screening indicated differences in serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels. Consequently, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were measured in serum in the whole patient cohort with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. There were no significant differences in either MMP-9 (p = 0.411) or TIMP-1 (p = 0.679) levels between hernia and hernia-free patients. MMP-9 was significantly increased in smokers compared with nonsmokers (p = 0.016). In conclusion, a possible involvement of MMPs and TIMPs in the pathogenesis of incisional hernia formation was not reflected systemically.

Biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysms from a sex perspective.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) differ in men and women. Women are older at diagnosis, have a higher risk of rupture, and worse outcome after surgery compared with men. The higher occurrence of AAAs in men accounts for the dominance of men in biomarker analyses. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to investigate levels of established biomarkers for AAA in men and women, and the secondary aim was to compare biomarker levels in women with and without AAAs. METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, blood samples were collected from 16 women and 18 men with AAAs ≥5.5 cm, from 20 women with AAAs <5.5 cm, and from 18 women with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Plasma concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2, -9, and -13; tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 (TIMP-1); plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1); high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP); and estradiol levels were analyzed by ELISA. An ultrasound examination was performed in women with PAD to exclude an AAA. RESULTS: Age and other comorbid conditions were similar between men and women with AAAs. Women with AAAs had higher levels of MMP-9 compared with men with equally large AAAs (42.8 ng/mL vs 36.2 ng/mL, P = 0.036) and lower levels of estradiol (30.0 pmoL vs 86.5 pmol/L, P < 0.001). Women with AAAs had lower levels of MMP-9 compared with women without (59.5 ng/mL vs 132.6 ng/mL, P = 0.010). There was no significant difference in the plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-13, hsCRP, PAI-1, TIMP-1, and estradiol between women with and without AAAs. CONCLUSION: The higher levels of MMP-9 in women compared with men with equally large AAAs could suggest that MMP-9 is a biomarker related to the sex differences in aneurysm development. The lower levels of estradiol in women with AAAs compared with men suggest that the possible protective effect of endogenous estrogen cannot be explained by a difference in circulating levels of estradiol.

A longitudinal analysis of circulating stress-related proteins and chronic ethanol self-administration in cynomolgus macaques.

BACKGROUND: Alcoholics have alterations in endocrine and immune functions and increased susceptibility to stress-related disorders. A longitudinal analysis of chronic ethanol intake on homeostatic mechanisms is, however, incompletely characterized in primates. METHODS: Plasma proteins (n = 60; Luminex) and hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH]; cortisol) were repeatedly measured in adult male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis, n = 10) during a 32-month experimental protocol at baseline, during induction of water and ethanol (4% w/v in water) self-administration, after 4 months, and after 12 months of 22-hour daily concurrent access to ethanol and water. RESULTS: Significant changes were observed in ACTH, cortisol, and 45/60 plasma proteins: a majority (28/45) were suppressed as a function of ethanol self-administration, 8 proteins were elevated, and 9 showed biphasic changes. Cortisol and ACTH were greatest during induction, and correlations between these hormones and plasma proteins varied across the experiment. Pathway analyses implicated nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) as possible mediators of ethanol-induced effects on immune-related proteins in primates. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic ethanol consumption in primates leads to an allostatic state of physiological compromise with respect to circulating immune- and stress-related proteins in NF-κB- and STAT/JAK-related pathways in correlation with altered endocrine activity.

Matrix-metalloproteinase-2, -8 and -9 in serum and skin blister fluid in patients with severe sepsis.

INTRODUCTION: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have various roles in inflammatory states. They seem to be able to modulate endothelial barriers and regulate the activity of chemokines and cytokines. The timely development of the levels during severe sepsis and thereafter have not been investigated. In addition it was of interest to study alterations of MMP-levels in intact skin, as the skin is the largest barrier against external pathogens and MMPs have not been studied at organ level in human sepsis. The aim of this study was to investigate the timely development of serum and skin MMP-2, -8 and -9 levels in human severe sepsis and their association with disease severity and mortality. METHODS: Forty-four patients with severe sepsis and fifteen healthy controls were included in this prospective longitudinal study. The amounts of MMP-2, -8 and -9 were analyzed from serum at days 1, 4, 6, 8, and 10, and from skin suction blister fluid at days 1 and 5 from the beginning of severe sepsis. Additionally, samples from the survivors were obtained after three and six months. RESULTS: The levels of MMP-2 and -8 were up-regulated in severe sepsis in comparison to healthy controls in skin blister fluid and serum. Compared to the controls MMP-9 levels were lower in sepsis from the fourth day on in serum and both the first and fifth day in skin blister fluid. Active forms of MMP-2 and -9 were present only in severe sepsis. The non-survivors had higher pro- and active MMP-2 levels than the survivors in skin blister fluid samples. Furthermore, MMP-2 levels were more pronounced in blister fluid and serum samples in patients with more severe organ failures. In the survivors at 3 and 6 month follow-up the MMP levels had returned to normal. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-2 and -8 are elevated in serum and blister fluid in severe sepsis, implying that they may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of severe sepsis and organ dysfunctions. Active forms of MMP-2 and 9 were only present in patients with severe sepsis, and higher MMP-2 levels in skin blister and serum were associated with more severe organ dysfunctions.