title: Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-8 concentrations are associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interstitial collagen, especially type I, is a major component of atherosclerotic plaques and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 1, 8 and 13 can initiate collagen breakdown. MMP-8 degrades type I collagen preferentially and more potently than MMP-1 or MMP-13. Although MMP-8 was thought to be produced only by neutrophils, it was recently reported to also be produced by endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages in plaques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma MMP-8 concentrations were measured in 250 patients undergoing coronary angiography for coronary artery disease (CAD: >50% stenosis), which was found in 181 patients, of whom 69 had 1-vessel, 66 had 2-vessel, and 46 had 3-vessel disease. Compared with 69 patients without CAD, the 181 with CAD had higher MMP-8 concentrations (3.5 vs 3.0 ng/ml, p < 0.001). There was a stepwise increase in MMP-8 concentration depending on the number of stenotic vessels: 3.2 in 1-vessel, 3.6 in 2-vessel, and 4.3 ng/ml in 3-vessel disease (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that MMP-8 concentration was independently associated with CAD. The odds ratio for CAD was 1.22 (95%confidence interval = 1.07-1.39) for a 1 ng/ml increase in MMP-8 concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma MMP-8 concentration is associated with the presence and severity of CAD.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryuichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Yukihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Momiyama
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ohmori
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Fumitaka
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ohsuzu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000097:blood; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8