Abstract
Background Vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotype is a risk factor for several disorders with inflammatory components, including coronary heart diseases (CHD). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a group of zinc-dependent endopeptidases, involve extracellular matrix (ECM) physiological degradation process and contribute to progressive left ventricular remodeling, dilation, and heart failure. Aims To investigate whether the VDR genetic polymorphisms are associated with the activity of MMP-9 in female workers of lead battery plants. Methods A total of 206 female workers was recruited for this study at the Taiwan battery manufacturing plant. The mean age was 46.7 ± 8.5 years and mean working duration was 12.8 ± 8.1 years. A clinical examination was performed at a workplace health check-up, and information was obtained using self-reported questionnaire. Each study participant provided blood samples for genotyping of VDR (folk, bsml, apal) and for serum MMP-9, whole blood lead levels (BLLs) and serum oxidative stress (Malondialdehyde (MDA)) measurements. We used multiple linear regression models for determinants of MMP-9 using VDR genotypes, BLLs and MDA as independent variables Results The MMP-9 levels was found to be correlated with BLLs and menopausal status in female workers. In the trend analysis, results exhibited a significant decreased trend in MMP-9 levels from the wild-type, heterogeneity and homozygousgenotypes of VDR (apal and bsml). After adjusting for determinants of MMP-9 levels,we found that carriers of the AA genotype of VDR (apal) had a lower MMP-9 levelcompared with carriers of CC genotype in these subjects (?=-0.651, p=0. 012). A similar result was observed in carriers of the AG genotype of VDR (bsml) compared with carriers of CC genotype (?=-0.641, p= 0.008). Conclusions This study confirms that the BLLs and menopausal status are important determinants in the MMP-9 levels. There is a possibility that female workers who carry homozygous genotypes of VDR (apal and bsml) decrease in MMP-9 levels.
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