title: Increased levels of interleukin-6 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 are of cardiac origin in acute coronary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between inflammatory mediators, matrix degrading enzymes and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the impact of early reperfusion therapy on circulating biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were determined in 134 patients with ACS. These biomarkers were serially monitored in ten patients with intravenous thrombolytic therapy (IVT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum levels of IL-6, hs-CRP and MMP-9 were higher in unstable angina (UA) and myocardial infarction (MI) groups than in control or SA group (p<0.05). Peripheral IL-6 level in patients with MI was greater after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (p<0.01) or IVT (p<0.05). Serial concentration determination revealed marked elevation of serum IL-6 and MMP-9 levels, both reaching peak values (like creatine kinase-MB).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated levels of IL-6, hs-CRP and MMP-9 provide a link between inflammation, matrix degradation and the development and progression of ACS. IL-6 and MMP-9 appear to be released mainly from vulnerable plaque or necrotic myocardium during the acute phase of MI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, 2nd Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, PR China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Ji-Bing
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hong-Liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Cong
authors.forename: Ti-Gang
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012107:Research Design; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9