PP.18.10] EVALUATION OF MMP-7 AND TIMP-1 IN PATIENTS OF DIFFERENT AGES WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Abstract

Objective: MMP's are a family of enzymes capable to degrade components from the extracellular matrix; they play an important role in normal physiology such as angiogenesis,wound healing,embryonic development an also in pathogenic pocesses such as atherosclerosis and atherotrombosis by turning a stable coronary plaque into an unstable one. Their activity is regulated by a group of inhibitors (TIMP's). Aim: We tested the possibility of MMP-7 and TIMP-1 to serve as biological markers for plaque instability. Design and method: We have analysed a group of 114 patients (77 men and 27 women) aged 45–73 years old,evaluated for coronary artery disease (CAD) by performing coronarography;47 patients with stable CAD, 31 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), 16 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and 17 patients without angiographic evidence of CAD. Blood samples collected from patients were centrifuged at 3000 rpm and serum was kept at −70 C until the assay has been made. Serum MMP-7 and TIMP-1 were determined by ELISA method and statistical analysis has been done using SPSS 15.0. Results: Serum concentration of MMP-7 was increased in patients with UAP/AMI patients compared to patients with stable CAD, the highest levels were obtained in UAP group of patients . The evaluation of TIMP-1 followed a similar trend as MMP-7. The level of MMP-7 and TIMP-1 in controls were in the interval specified by the manufacturer. Conclusions: High serum levels of MMP-7 and TIMP-1 seem to be associated with acute coronary events which may be determined by inflammation and degradation of the extracellular matrix from the atherosclerotic cap.