title: Immunohistochemical expression of metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 in abdominal aortic aneurysms: correlation with symptoms and aortic diameter.
abstract: Our purpose was to investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in all types of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA): symptomatic, asymptomatic, and ruptured. MMP-2 and -9 activity was investigated in surgical samples from the arterior wall of 46 AAA, using a standard immunohistochemical technique. The MMP-9 activity was significantly higher in large AAA (>6 cm), but there was no relation between AAA size and MMP-2 activity. Neither MMP-2 nor MMP-9 were related with AAA rupture, other complications or symptoms. The MMP-9 activity in AAA is a determinant of the aneurysm size, but it is not related to clinical manifestations.
authors: First Department of Surgery, University of Athens, 27 Chremonidou Street, 11633 Pagrati, Athens, Greece. drsigala@otenet.gr
authors: Efstathios
authors: E
authors: Papalambros
authors: Fragiska
authors: F
authors: Sigala
authors: Sotiris
authors: S
authors: Georgopoulos
authors: Charalambos
authors: C
authors: Menekakos
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Giatromanolaki
authors: Elias
authors: E
authors: Bastounis
authors: Efthymios
authors: E
authors: Sivridis
mesh_terms: D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9