title: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentrations in critically ill patients.
abstract: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is involved in the processing of cytokines during sepsis. We studied 10 critically ill patients within 12 h of fulfilling the American Consensus Conference criteria for severe sepsis and compared the results with 12 critically ill non-septic control patients and eight healthy subjects. Total matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentrations were measured on days 1, 2 and 3. The median admission Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 19.5 (range 13-27) in the septic patients and 20.5 (range 7-28) in the non-septic patients. Four patients from each group died within 28 days. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentrations were elevated significantly in both groups of patients compared with healthy subjects (p = 0.0004) but there was no difference between patients with and without sepsis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels did not change with time, and there was no difference between survivors and those who died. We conclude that matrix metalloproteinase-9 represents a non-specific marker of systemic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Liver Institute, Menoufiya University, Egypt.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Yassen
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Galley
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Webster
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9