Excessive matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the plasma of community-acquired pneumonia.
BACKGROUND
It has been shown that matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is involved in the pathogenesis of various pulmonary inflammatory diseases. We determined the MMP-9 concentration in the plasma of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients before and after antibiotic treatment.


METHODS
Gelatin zymography and ELISA analysis were used to measure MMP-9 activity and MMP-9 level, respectively, in 35 control subjects and 46 CAP patients.


RESULTS
WBC counts, neutrophils, MMP-9 activity and MMP-9 level were significantly higher in CAP patients compared with that of control subjects (P<0.001), while MMP-9 activity and MMP-9 level were returned to normal after the antibiotic treatment (P<0.001). In addition, MMP-9 level correlated positively with WBC counts and neutrophils number both before and after the antibiotic treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-9 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CAP with a positive correlation with the number of neutrophils.
Yang
Shun-Fa
SF
Institute of Biochemistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
Chu
Shu-Chen
SC
Chiang
I-Chen
IC
Kuo
Wen-Fu
WF
Chiou
Hui-Ling
HL
Chou
Fen-Pi
FP
Kuo
Wu-Hsien
WH
Hsieh
Yih-Shou
YS
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9