Comparative assessment of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 in preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios in preeclampsia and gestational hypertension with those found in normotensive pregnancies.


METHODS
We studied 83 pregnant women (30 healthy pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies, 26 with gestational hypertension, and 27 with preeclampsia) and 30 healthy nonpregnant women in a cross-sectional study. MMP and TIMP concentrations were measured in plasma samples by gelatin zymography and ELISA, respectively.


RESULTS
We found higher plasma pro-MMP-9 levels, and higher pro-MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios in women with gestational hypertension (95%-CI: 1.031 to 2.357, and 0.012 to 0.031, respectively), but not with preeclampsia, compared with those found in normotensive pregnant women (95%-CI: 0.810 to 1.350, and 0.006 to 0.013, respectively; both P<0.05). We found no significant differences in pro-MMP-2 levels (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The higher net MMP-9 (but not MMP-2) activity in gestational hypertension compared with normotensive pregnancy suggests that MMP-9 plays a role in the pathophysiology of gestational hypertension. Conversely, the lack of such alterations in preeclampsia is consistent with the notion that different pathophysiological mechanisms are involved in these hypertensive disorders.
Palei
Ana C T
AC
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, 13081-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Sandrim
Valeria C
VC
Cavalli
Ricardo C
RC
Tanus-Santos
Jose E
JE
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000201:enzymology*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009765:Obesity / Q000201:enzymology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000201:enzymology*; D012016:Reference Values; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9