title: Circulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 is elevated in patients with congestive heart failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been reported that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) protein concentration and activity are upregulated in the failing human heart. However, there are few reports describing the role of elevated level of circulating MMPs in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. This study examined whether circulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are also related to the pathogenesis of CHF.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in 52 patients with CHF (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%). The patients were also subdivided into two groups according to NYHA functional class; mild CHF (class II, n=43) and severe CHF (class III, n=9).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum level of MMP-2 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio were significantly higher in CHF than in controls (P<0.01). Among patient groups, serum levels of MMP-2 were significantly higher in patients with severe CHF than in patients with mild CHF (P<0.01). Plasma levels of BNP had a significant positive correlation with circulating levels of MMP-2 (r=0.78; P<0.01) and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio (r=0.60; P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data showed that the circulating MMP-2 concentration was increased in CHF patients and that the levels were related to the plasma levels of BNP in CHF, suggesting that the elevated levels are related to developing heart failure syndrome.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Fukui Medical University, 23-3 Shimoaizuki, Matsuoka, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Taketoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
authors.forename: Jong-Dae
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hiromasa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uzui
authors.forename: Takanori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013318:Stroke Volume; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D009638:Norepinephrine