Serum Concentrations Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Research Articles

Predictive Significance of Serum MMP-9 in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

ObjectiveThe incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is increasing, and there are no reliable serum biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of PTC. This study aimed to assess whether serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) could serve as an auxiliary diagnostic/prognostic marker for PTC after total and partial thyroidectomy.Material and MethodsPostoperative serum MMP-9 concentrations were measured in 182 male patients with PTC, 86 male patients with benign thyroid nodule (BTN), and 62 male healthy controls (HCs). Multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression were applied to evaluate the correlation between variables. The performance of serum MMP-9 in diagnosing PTC and predicting structural persistent/recurrent disease (SPRD) during 48 months of follow-up after initial surgery was evaluated by receiving operating characteristic curve analysis.ResultsThe median serum MMP-9 concentration in the PTC group (79.45 ng/ml) was significantly higher than those in the BTN group (47.35 ng/ml) and HC group (47.71 ng/ml). The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting PTC from BTN was 0.852 at a cut-off value of 60.59 ng/ml. Serum MMP-9 was negatively correlated with disease-free survival (OR 1.026, P=0.001). Serum MMP-9 exhibited good performance in predicting SPRD at a cutoff value of 99.25 ng/ml with an AUC of 0.818. Advanced TNM stage (OR 31.371, P=0.019) and serum MMP-9 ≥99.25 ng/ml (OR 4.103, P=0.022) were independent risk factors for SPRD.ConclusionsSerum MMP-9 potentially represents a good predictive biomarker for PTC diagnosis and prognosis after thyroidectomy in Chinese male patients for whom radio-imaging indicates suspected PTC.

Comparison of the effects of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia on pulmonary function, MMP-9 and postoperative cognition in patients receiving lung cancer resection.

Effects of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia on pulmonary function, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and postoperative cognition were compared in patients undergoing simple resection of lower lobe of left lung. Retrospective method was used to analyze 58 cases of lung cancer patients treated by simple resection of lower lobe of left lung in the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University from October 2016 to October 2017, and they were divided into two groups: Sevoflurane group (n=32) with sevoflurane anesthesia and propofol group (n=26) with propofol anesthesia. In the present study, the moment before induction of anesthesia (T1), before the start of one-lung ventilation (T2), before the end of one-lung ventilation (T3), after closed chest surgery (T4), 24 h after surgery (T5), calculate alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (A-aDO2), respiratory index (RI) and intrapulmonary shunt ratio (Qs/Qt), were compared between the two groups. The serum MMP-9 concentration at T1, T4 and T5 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The cognitive function of two groups was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) 1 day before surgery and 1 and 10 days after surgery. The A-aDO2 level at T4 in sevoflurane group was significantly higher than that in propofol group (P<0.05). The RI level at T3, T4, the Qs/Qt and the MMP-9 level at T4 in the sevoflurane group was significantly higher than that in the propofol group (P<0.05). The MMSE score in sevoflurane group was significantly lower than that in propofol group 1 and 10 days after surgery (P<0.05). Propofol has little effect on pulmonary function and can decrease inflammatory factor MMP-9. Both sevoflurane and propofol have an effect on cognitive function after lung cancer resection, but propofol can reduce cognitive impairment in patients with lung cancer.

Serum MMP-9: a novel biomarker for prediction of clinical relapse in patients with quiescent Crohn's disease, a post hoc analysis.

Background:Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a novel marker of intestinal inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess if serum MMP-9 levels predict clinical flare in patients with quiescent Crohn’s disease (CD).Methods:This study was a post hoc analysis of a prospective observational study in which quiescent CD patients were included and followed until clinical relapse or the end of a 2-year follow-up period. Serial C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (FC) levels were measured, and the patients underwent repeated capsule endoscopies (CEs) every 6 months. Small bowel inflammation was quantified by Lewis score (LS) for CE. A baseline magnetic resonance enterography was also performed, and MaRIA score was calculated. Serum MMP-9 levels in baseline blood samples were quantified by ELISA.Results:Out of 58 eligible enrolled patients, 16 had a flare. Higher levels of baseline MMP-9 were found in patients who developed subsequent symptomatic flare compared with patients who did not [median 661 ng/ml, 25–75 interquartile range (IQR; 478.2–1441.3) versus 525.5 ng/ ml (339–662.7), respectively, p = 0.01]. Patients with serum MMP-9 levels of 945 ng/ ml or higher were at increased risk for relapse within 24 months [area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56–0.88]; hazard ratio 8.1 (95% CI 3.0–21.9, p < 0.001)]. Serum MMP-9 concentrations showed weak and moderate correlation to baseline LS and FC, respectively (r = 0.31, p = 0.02; r = 0.46, p < 0.001). No correlation was found between serum MMP-9 to CRP and MaRIA score.Conclusions:Serum MMP-9 may be a promising biomarker for prediction of clinical flare in CD patients with quiescent disease.

Assessment of myocardial fibrosis by late gadolinium enhancement imaging and biomarkers of collagen metabolism in chronic rheumatic mitral regurgitation.

SummaryBackgroundIn chronic rheumatic mitral regurgitation (CRMR), involvement of the myocardium in the rheumatic process has been controversial. Therefore, we sought to study the presence of fibrosis using late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (LGE–CMR) and biomarkers of collagen turnover in CRMR. MethodsTwenty–two patients with CRMR underwent CMR and echocardiography. Serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase– 1 (MMP–1), tissue inhibitor of MMP–1 (TIMP– 1), MMP–1–to–TIMP–1 ratio, procollagen III N–terminal pro–peptide (PIIINP) and procollagen type IC peptide (PIP) were measured. ResultsFour patients had fibrosis on LGE–CMR. PIP and PIIINP concentrations were similar to those of the controls, however MMP–1 concentration was increased compared to that of the controls (log MMP–1 3.5 ± 0.7 vs 2.7 ± 0.9, p = 0.02). There was increased MMP–1 activity as the MMP–1–to– TIMP–1 ratio was higher in CRMR patients compared to the controls (–1.2 ± 0.6 vs –2.1 ± 0.89, p = 0.002). ConclusionMyocardial fibrosis was rare in CRMR patients. CRMR is likely a disease characterised by the predominance of collagen degradation rather than increased synthesis and myocardial fibrosis.

Effects of Dexmedetomidine-Isoflurane versus Isoflurane Anesthesia on Brain Injury After Cardiac Valve Replacement Surgery

To compare dexmedetomidine combined with isoflurane versus isoflurane anesthesia on brain injury after cardiac surgery. A prospective, randomized, single-blind study. University hospital. Adult patients undergoing elective valve replacement surgery. Ninety-seven patients scheduled for valve replacement surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups: dexmedetomidine and isoflurane (Dex-Iso, n = 50) and isoflurane alone (Iso, n = 47). Dexemedetomidine was infused at 0.6 μg/kg as a bolus, followed with 0.2 μg/kg/h until the end of surgery. Jugular blood samples were drawn for analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels on time points of: T1 (before induction); T2 (5 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass [CPB] onset); T3 (after CPB off); T4 (the first day after operation); T5 (the second day after operation). Plasma lactate levels in arterial and jugular venous blood also were quantified. The difference between arterial and jugular bulb venous blood lactate levels (AVDL) was calculated. An antisaccadic eye movement (ASEM) test was carried out on the day before the operation and the seventh day postoperatively. In both groups, serum MMP-9 and GFAP concentrations increased after CPB, with the peak values occurring after CPB. At time point T5, MMP-9 and GFAP levels were close to those at T1. MMP-9 concentrations in the Dex-Iso group were lower than the Iso group at T3 and T4. GFAP concentrations in the Dex-Iso group were lower at T3 but were higher than the Iso group at T2. No significant differences were found in AVDL between the 2 groups perioperatively except at T2. The ASEM scores decreased significantly postoperatively. There was no significant difference in the ASEM scores between the 2 treatment groups before and after the operation. The use of dexmedetomidine decreased the biochemical markers of brain injury but did not improve the neuropsychological test result after cardiac surgery.

The effect of exercise preconditioning on stroke outcome in ovariectomized mice with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Exercise preconditioning has been shown to be effective in improving behavioral and neuropathological indices after cerebral ischemia. We evaluated the effect of exercise preconditioning, 17β-estradiol, and their combination on stroke outcome using an experimental model of stroke in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. OVX mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups as follows: control (stroke), exercise (exercise and stroke), estradiol (17β-estradiol and stroke), and exercise+estradiol (exercise and 17β-estradiol and stroke). Exercise preconditioning was performed on a treadmill 5 days/week, 40 min/day, at a speed of 18 m/min for 4 weeks. 17β-estradiol was gavaged (40 μg/kg per day) for 4 weeks. Stroke was induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO), and neurological deficits were evaluated 1, 2, and 7 days after stroke. Then, the serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) and infarct volumes were assessed. Exercise preconditioning and 17β-estradiol induced a better outcome compared with the control ischemic mice, which was manifested by decrease in MMP-9, increase in IL-10, diminished infarct volume, and improved neurological deficits. Concomitant administration of 17β-estradiol and exercise also significantly improved these parameters. Exercise preconditioning or administration of 17β-estradiol alone or in combination before pMCAO induced significant neuroprotection in OVX mice.

Abstract PR363

Background & Objectives: Postoperative brain damage is a serious problems in cardiac surgery patients. Dexmedetomidine and isoflurane have been reported to have neuroprotective properties in animal. But no report currently compares dexmedetomidine combined with isoflurane and isoflurane anesthesia on brain injury after cardiac surgery. Materials & Methods: 97 patients scheduled for valve replacement surgery with cardiopulmonary bypasses were randomly divided into 2 groups: dexmedetomidine and isoflurane (D-I, n=50) and isoflurane alone (I, n=47). Anesthesia was maintained with either dexmedetomidine and isoflurane or isoflurane alone combined with sufentanil. Dexemedetomidine was infused at 0.6 μg/kg for 15 min as a bolus, followed with 0.2 μg/kg/h until the end of surgery. The inhaled concentration of isoflurane was adjusted to keep the bispectral index (BIS) 40-50 throughout the procedure in both groups. Jugular blood samples were drawn for analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and glial fibrillary acidic protein levels(GFAP) peri-operatively: before induction; 5 min after cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) onset;after CPB; the first day after operation and the second day after operation. Plasma lactate levels in arterial and jugular venous blood were also quantified at the same five time points. Antisaccadic eye movement(ASEM) test and Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE) were tested on the day before operation and the seventh day postoperatively. Results: Serum MMP-9 and GFAP concentration increased after CPB and decreased to basal levels on the second morning after surgery in both groups. MMP-9 concentration in group D-I were lower on times of CPB off and the first day after operation. However lower GFAP concentration in group D-I were found on times of 5 min after CPB onset and CPB off. No significant differences were found between the two groups when the difference of arterial and jugular bulb venous blood lactate levels were compared except 5 minutes after CPB on. The MMSE score of total patients was declined significantly from the baseline values of 26.9±1.4 to 25.4±1.5 on the seventh day after operation(p< 0.001). The ASEM scores also decreased significantly from the baseline values of 16.4±3.8 to 13.7±6.8 postoperatively (p< 0.001). No difference were found in postoperative MMSE (p=0.787)and ASEM impairment (p=0.439) between the treatment groups. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine combined with isoflurane can decrease the biochemical markers of brain injury but does not improve cognitive function after cardiac surgery compared with isoflurane alone.

Serum matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) as a biochemical marker for wasting marmoset syndrome.

Use of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) as a non-human primate experimental animal has increased in recent years. Although wasting marmoset syndrome (WMS) is one of the biggest problems in captive marmoset colonies, the molecular mechanisms, biochemical markers for accurate diagnosis and a reliable treatment remain unknown. In this study, as a first step to finding biochemical marker(s) for the accurate diagnosis of WMS, we conducted blood cell counts, including hematocrit, hemoglobin and platelets, and examined serum chemistry values, including albumin, calcium and levels of serum matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), using a colony of marmosets with and without weight loss. MMP9 is thought to be an enzyme responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix components and participates in the pathogenesis of inflammatory conditions, such as human and murine inflammatory bowel disease, which, like WMS, are characterized histologically by inflammatory cell infiltrations in the intestines. The values of hematocrit and hemoglobin and levels of serum albumin and calcium in the WMS group were significantly decreased versus the control group. The platelet values and serum MMP9 concentrations were increased significantly in the WMS group compared with the control group. MMP9 could be a new and useful marker for the diagnosis of WMS in addition to hematocrit, hemoglobin, serum albumin and calcium. Our results also indicate that MMP9 could be a useful molecular candidate for treatment.

Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 expression in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) are well-known inflammatory biomarkers, with a diagnostic potential for various diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential diagnostic applications of serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). A total of 66 male FMF patients and 40 age-matched healthy subjects were included in this research. TIMP-1 and MMP-9 levels with conventional inflammation markers were determined. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between the characteristics of patients and the laboratory data. In patients with FMF, serum MMP-9 levels and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios were found to be significantly elevated in both acute episode and asymptomatic periods (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference between TIMP-1 levels. A significant negative correlation between patients' current age and TIMP-1 level in patients with acute episodes was detected (p=0.0008, r=-0.52). Moreover, a moderate negative correlation was noticed between erythrocyte sedimentation rate and TIMP-1 level in patients with acute episodes (p=0.01, r=-0.39). Additionally, a moderate negative correlation was found between the duration of colchicine use and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels during the attack period (p=0.04, r=-0.36 and p=0.02, r=-0.39, respectively). Our findings demonstrate that a significant MMP-9/TIMP-1 imbalance exists in patients with FMF, which reflects an ongoing inflammation in both FMF periods. Thus, the increased MMP-9 levels observed in FMF patients could rationalize therapeutic targeting to MMPs.

Serum concentrations and genetic polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases type 1 in senile aortic stenosis

A study on the serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases type 1 (TIMP1) was carried out in 108 patients over the age of 65 with calcinosis and/or calcific aortic valve (AV) stenosis to uncover the molecular and genetic markers predisposing one to the development of senile aortic stenosis. Typing of the polymorphic loci A8202G of MMP9 gene (rs1169732) and C536T of TIMP1 gene (rs11551797) was also performed. Forty-six patients without AV calcinosis symptoms were examined as a control group. It was found that senile aortic stenosis is accompanied by a reliable increase in the serum concentration of TIMP1 (257.5 (151.5–325.9) pg/mL against 129.7 (86.2–229) pg/mL, p < 0.05), while TIMP1 level higher than 258.1 pg/mL in elderly persons over the age of 65 can be considered a high-precision marker of the discussed pathology. Polymorphism of the MMP9 (A8208G) and TIMP1 (C536T) genes is not associated with calcific aortic stenosis.

Relationship of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 and hematoma expansion in acute hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and hematoma expansion (HE) in acute hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage (AHCH) (HE-in-AHCH). Patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, confirmed by head computed tomography (CT) within 12 h of onset, were prospectively collected. Venous blood was sampled within 4 h of the confirmation to determine the serum MMP-9 concentration. The blood pressure and National Institute of Health Stroke Score of the patients were recorded on hospital admission. CT re-scanning was performed within 42–54 h of the first head CT examination or immediately after worsening of the patients’ consciousness disorder. The relationship between MMP-9 level and HE was analyzed. A total of 186 patients were included. Of these patients, 41 had HE (22.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, in addition to the short interval between onset and the first CT examination, and the irregularity of hematoma shape, increasing MMP-9 level was an independent risk factor for HE-in-AHCH (OR value = 15.65, 95% CI: 5.30–46.15). Moreover, increasing plasma MMP-9 level was identified as an independent risk factor in patients with HE-in-AHCH.

The imbalance between matrix metalloproteinase 9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 in acute pancreatitis.

The balanced activity of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors is an important, albeit still not completely understood, determinant of extracellular matrix homeostasis, a factor involved in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to compare serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and its tissue inhibitor (TIMP-1) in patients with AP of various severity and to investigate their relationship with prognostic indicators of AP severity, e.g., polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMN-E). The study included 37 patients with mild (n = 18) or severe AP (n = 19) and 15 healthy controls. Serum concentrations of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were determined on admission (day 1) and on days 2, 3, 5 and 10. Throughout the study period, the serum MMP-9 concentration in patients with severe AP was significantly higher than those in individuals with mild AP and in healthy controls. In turn, the serum MMP-9 concentrations in persons with mild AP did not differ significantly from those of the controls. The serum TIMP-1 concentrations in both groups were significantly higher than in the controls. Beginning from the 2(nd) day of hospital stay, the serum TIMP-1 concentration in patients with severe AP was significantly higher than in individuals with mild AP. There were significant correlations between: MMP-9 and PMN-E, TIMP-1 and PMN-E, and MMP-9 and TIMP-1. A disturbed balance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 observed during the early stages of severe AP suggests that endogenous TIMP-1 is unable to prevent excessive activation and release of MMP-9. MMP-9 may represent a new marker of AP severity.

Relation of dietary inorganic arsenic to serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) at different threshold concentrations of tap water arsenic.

Arsenic (As) exposure is associated with cancer, lung and cardiovascular disease, yet the mechanisms involved are not clearly understood. Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels are also associated with these diseases, as well as with exposure to water As. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary components of inorganic As (iAs) intake on serum MMP-9 concentration at differing levels of tap water As. In a cross-sectional study of 214 adults, dietary iAs intake was estimated from 24-h dietary recall interviews using published iAs residue data; drinking and cooking water As intake from water samples and consumption data. Aggregate iAs intake (food plus water) was associated with elevated serum MMP-9 in mixed model regression, with and without adjustment for covariates. In models stratified by tap water As, aggregate intake was a significant positive predictor of serum MMP-9 in subjects exposed to water As≤10 μg/l. Inorganic As from food alone was associated with serum MMP-9 in subjects exposed to tap water As≤3 μg/l. Exposure to iAs from food and water combined, in areas where tap water As concentration is ≤10 μg/l, may contribute to As-induced changes in a biomarker associated with toxicity.

Influence of Malondialdehyde and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 on Progression of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Chronic Renal Disease with Cardiometabolic Syndrome.

Objective was to assess whether the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation and serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are involved in the process of atherosclerosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients nondialysis-dependent and those on peritoneal dialysis (PD), both with signs of cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS). Thirty CKD and 22 PD patients were included in a study. All observed patients were divided into three subgroups depending on the degree of atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries (CA). Severity of atherosclerotic changes in the CA was evaluated by ultrasonography. We confirmed significantly lower level of serum MDA throughout all the stages of atherosclerosis in PD patients compared with observed CKD patients (P < 0.05) and increased serum concentration of MDA and MMP-9 with the progression of severity atherosclerotic changes in both groups of patients. The multiple regression analysis revealed that MDA and MMP-9 are significant predictors of changes in IMT-CA CKD patients (P < 0.05) and plaque score on CA in these patients (P < 0.05). The results suggest that MDA and MMP-9 could be mediators of CKD-related vascular remodeling in CMS.

Predictive factors related to the efficacy of golimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

In order to investigate the predictive factors related to clinical efficacy and radiographic progression at 24 weeks by looking at the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 including baseline characteristics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with golimumab, serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were analyzed every 4 weeks up to 24 weeks in 47 patients treated with golimumab. Baseline levels of the Disease Activity Score 28 C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) and Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) scores were also assessed. Radiographic progression using the van der Heijde-modified Sharp (vdH-S) score was assessed in 29 patients. Multiple regression analyses related to the DAS28-CRP score and delta total sharp score at 24 weeks was undertaken using the baseline characteristics of patients and serum concentrations of matrix metallo-proteinase (MMP)-3, TNF-α, and IL−6. The DAS28-CRP score and SDAI decreased significantly at 4 weeks up to 24 weeks compared with baseline. Serum levels of TNF-α were not changed significantly up to 24 weeks compared with baseline, but those of IL-6 decreased significantly at 4 weeks up to 8 weeks. Multiple regression analyses showed that disease duration and serum levels of MMP-3 were related significantly to the DAS28-CRP score at 24 weeks. Radiographic progression was related significantly to disease duration with regard to joint space narrowing and bone erosion. However, serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were not correlated significantly with the DAS28-CRP score and radiographic progression. These data suggest that decreasing serum levels of IL-6 significantly, MMP-3, and disease duration are predictive factors for RA activity in patients taking golimumab.

Serum protein S100A9, SOD3, and MMP9 as new diagnostic biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis by iTRAQ-coupled two-dimensional LC-MS/MS.

This study aimed to discover the novel noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). We applied iTRAQ 2D LC-MS/MS technique to investigate protein profiles in patients with pulmonary TB and other lung diseases. A total of 34 differentially expressed proteins (24 upregulated proteins and ten downregulated proteins) were identified in the serum of pulmonary TB patients. Significant differences in protein S100-A9 (S100A9), extracellular superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] (SOD3), and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) were found between pulmonary TB and other lung diseases by ELISA. Correlations analysis revealed that the serum concentration of MMP9 in the pulmonary TB was in moderate correlation with SOD3 (r = 0.581) and S100A9 (r = 0.471), while SOD3 was in weak correlation with S100A9 (r = 0.287). The combination of serum S100A9, SOD3, and MMP9 levels could achieve 92.5% sensitivity and 95% specificity to discriminate between pulmonary TB and healthy controls, 90% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity to discriminate between pulmonary TB and pneumonia, and 85% sensitivity and 92.5% specificity to discriminate between pulmonary TB and lung cancer, respectively. The results showed that S100A9, SOD3, and MMP9 may be potential diagnostic biomarkers for pulmonary TB, and provided experimental basis for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB.

Correlative study between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 values and neurologic deficit in acute, primary, supratentorial, intracerebral haemorrhage.

One of the essential characteristics of intracerebral haemorrhages (ICH) is the occurrence of brain oedema (BE). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) belongs to the family of proteolytic enzymes connected with zinc, which in brain bleeding or a stroke can induce matrix proteolyse into the neurovascular unit, and increase the BE. The aim of the study was to determine the MMP-9 values in serum, and to assess the degree of correlation with neurological deficit in patients with acute, primary and supratentorial ICH. The study was prospective and included 62 patients with ICH. The neurological deficit of the patients was evaluated by the National Institute Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Serum MMP-9 level was determined by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Patients were evaluated in three phases: 1(st), 3(rd) and 7(th) day following the ICH. The mean age of the patients was 64.5 ± 9.4. Within the follow-up period, there was a significant rise of the NIHSS score in the first three days: 11.48 ± 3.7; 13.21 ± 3.78, and a significant rise of serum MMP-9, with greatest values in the third day: 134.7 ± 26.1 ng/ml (p = 0.000). There was a positive, significant correlation (r = 0.886, p = 0.000) between the serum MMP-9 concentration and the NIHSS score. Our study showed that in the first three days of ICH, serum MMP-9 values were rising as well as the neurological deficit and the BE. Determination and evaluation of the MMP-9 in serum is an easy, non-invasive, routine laboratory procedure for the detection and follow-up of BE, and also determines further therapeutic strategy as well as prognosis in these patients.

Serum Protein S100β is a Diagnostic Biomarker for Distinguishing Posterior Circulation Stroke from Vertigo of Nonvascular Causes

Background: In patients presenting with acute vertigo or dizziness, identifying the posterior fossa stroke as the underlying cause can be a major challenge. We therefore evaluated the serum biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of nonvascular vertigo and posterior circulation stroke. Methods: Of a total of 80 patients, 31 patients had an ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation and 12 infratentorial hemorrhage. Findings in these patients were compared with those in 22 patients with vertigo of nonvascular origin and 15 matched control patients without neurological symptoms. Blood samples drawn <24 h after symptom onset were analyzed for S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100β), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Results/Conclusion: Serum levels of S100β were significantly higher in stroke patients than in nonvascular vertigo patients. Serum concentrations of MMP-9 tended to be higher in stroke patients, whereas no significant differences among groups were found for sVCAM-1 and GFAP. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed a sensitivity of 94.4% and a specificity of 31.8% for detecting stroke in patients presenting with vertigo for S100β. S100β may serve as a biomarker for distinguishing between vertigo of vascular causes and nonvascular, acute vertigo.

Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in human herpesvirus-6-infected infants with or without febrile seizures.

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a cause of exanthema subitum and, sometimes, of febrile seizures. However, the pathogenesis of febrile seizures associated with HHV-6 infection remains unclear. We investigated serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) levels in infants with HHV-6 infection. Serum levels of both MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were significantly higher in infants with HHV-6 infection than in controls. Serum TIMP-1 levels were significantly higher in infants with febrile seizures than in infants without febrile seizures. Serum MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios were significantly lower in infants with febrile seizures than in infants without febrile seizures. In infants with HHV-6 infection, positive correlations were found between serum MMP-9 concentrations and the white blood cells (WBC) count, and between serum TIMP-1 concentrations and the WBC count. Positive correlations were also found between the amounts of HHV-6 DNA and the ratios of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in infants with HHV-6 infection. In conclusion, we suggest that high serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in infants with HHV-6 infection may induce dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier, eventually causing febrile seizures.

Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels and severity of symptoms in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD/hyperkinetic disorder HKD

The serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in neuropsychiatric disorders of adults have been widely investigated. So far, no studies have been conducted on the relationship of MMP-9 and cognitive domains in children with two phenotype models, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD/HKD). The aim of this research was to evaluate and test the hypothesis that serum MMP-9 levels are associated with the severity of symptoms in children with ADHD/HKD and to compare the results in two models of this disorder. The study group comprised 37 Caucasian boys aged 7–12 years with HKD, being a subset of the combined ADHD subtype. Intellectual functions were measured using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. The analysis of serum concentrations of MMP-9 was based on a quantitative sandwich ELISA. The statistical regression analysis revealed a correlation between increased serum MMP-9 levels and severity of symptoms in the ADHD (β = 0.33; p = 0.043) and HKD (β = 0.34, p = 0.037) model. According to the results, elevated levels of serum MMP-9 in boys with HKD may be associated with clinical impulsivity domain (β = 0.38; p = 0.019).