Changes in plasma content of matrix metallo proteinase-9 in acute cerebral infarction patients before and after thrombolytic therapy and its significance

Abstract

To investigate the changes in the content of plasma matrix metallo proteinase-9 (MMP-9) in patients with acute cerebral infarction before and after thrombolytic therapy and its clinical significance. The levels of MMP-9 were determined in 34 patients with acute cerebral infarction before and after thrombolytic therapy, and 34 healthy individuals served as healthy control. Compared with the healthy controls, the levels of plasma MMP-9 before thrombolytic therapy were not significantly increased [(13.47±3.09) ng/L vs. (12.89±10.22) ng/L, P >0.05]. In contrast, MMP-9 values were significantly increased after thrombolytic therapy [(22.06±12.53) ng/L] compared with that in either before or healthy control group (both P<0.05). MMP-9 values were significantly higher in patients with hemorrhage after thrombolytic therapy (incidence rate was 26.5%, 9/34) compared with before treatment [(24.02±15.41) ng/L vs. (14.28±2.33) ng/L, P<0.05], and the values of MMP-9 were higher than those of patients without hemorrhage [(20.42±9.57) ng/L], but there was no statistically significant difference ( P >0.05). In patients with complete revascularization (revascularization rate was 58.8%, 20/34), MMP-9 level was markedly higher than before thrombolytic therapy after thrombolytic therapy [(19.26±7.94) ng/L vs. (13.63±3.02) ng/L, P<0.05], and the values of MMP-9 were higher than the no-revascularization patients [(18.97±4.23) ng/L], but there was no statistically significant difference ( P >0.05). Thrombolytic therapy activated MMP-9, and MMP-9 increased the risk of hemorrhage after thrombolytic therapy, and it participated in the mechanisms of hemorrhagic tendency after thrombolysis.