The plasma level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 may predict the natural history of small abdominal aortic aneurysms. A preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
increased levels of various proteinases have been detected in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and are assumed to cause the degradation of the aortic wall. To determine whether systemic measurement of these proteinases and their inhibitors may predict the natural cause of AAA.


METHODS
serum (S) and plasma (P) samples were obtained from 121 men following the diagnosis of a small AAA (3-5 cm) at population screening. Annual control scans were performed to check for expansion. Circulating levels of elastase-alpha 1 antitrypsin-complexes, alpha 1 antitrypsin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 & 9, tissue-inhibitor-matrixproteinase 1 & 2, procollagen III-N-terminal-propeptide, and elastin-peptides were measured in a random group of 36 men.


RESULTS
alpha 1 antitrypsin was significantly and positively associated with expansion. Similarly, P-MMP9 levels were significantly associated with size and expansion. There was a difference between median serum and plasma values, probably because of secretion from platelets.


CONCLUSIONS
P-MMP9 and P-alpha 1 antitrypsin may predict the natural history of AAA.
Lindholt
J S
JS
Department of Vascular Surgery, Viborg Hospital, Denmark.
Vammen
S
S
Fasting
H
H
Henneberg
E W
EW
Heickendorff
L
L
D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004549:Elastin / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000097:blood; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000097:blood; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D004549:Elastin; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9