title: Increased circulatory MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels and activities in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology. It has been suggested that metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in the development and complications of autoimmune disorders. This article presents our research on the expression or activities of MMPs in Taiwanese T1DM patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Levels and activities of plasma MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with T1DM were investigated and compared to those of control individuals by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and zymography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Circulatory levels and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with T1DM were significantly higher than those in control subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP expression and activities are significantly increased in patients with T1DM. Our results not only document plasma MMPs levels and activities in the Taiwanese population (with a very low type 1 diabetic incidence), but also suggest that MMP expression and activity are elevated before the onset of complications in diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ming-Yuh
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Shiau
authors.forename: Shih-Tzer
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Kan-Jen
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Ming-Lih
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Haung
authors.forename: Yi-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Yih-Hsin
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000201:enzymology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9