Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is elevated in serum of alcohol abusers.
BACKGROUND
Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to protect against coronary heart disease. However, excessive alcohol use has been suggested to have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system. We examined whether there is an association between alcohol abuse and circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which has been linked to unstable coronary heart disease and arterial inflammation.


METHODS
Serum MMP-9 concentrations were compared between 40 male alcoholics (mean age 42 years) with ethanol consumption > 1000 g week(-1) and 40 social drinker males with an ethanol consumption of < 200 g week(-1) (mean age 45 years).


RESULTS
The mean serum MMP-9 concentration was significantly higher in sera of alcoholics compared to control subjects (70.9 +/- 47.7 g L(-1) and 43.1 +/- 19.2 g L(-1), respectively; P = 0.001). Within the alcoholic group, MMP-9 concentration did not correlate with age, gamma glutamyl transferase, carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase.


CONCLUSIONS
Our finding of elevated MMP-9 concentrations in sera of chronic alcohol abusers helps understand the mechanisms of cardiovascular risk among these subjects.
Sillanaukee
P
P
Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Tampere Medical School and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
Kalela
A
A
Seppä
K
K
Höyhtyä
M
M
Nikkari
S T
ST
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000201:enzymology*; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D014168:Transferrin; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9