Metalloproteases 2 and 9, Lp-PLA(2) and lipoprotein profile in coronary patients.
OBJECTIVE
Many studies suggest that the different steps of the atherosclerotic process may be mediated by metalloproteases (MMPs). MMP-9 and MMP-2, which are highly expressed in the vulnerable regions of the atherosclerotic plaques, have been suggested to be causally involved in plaque rupture. In another manner linked with LDL, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) hydrolyzes phospholipids generating proinflammatory and proatherogenic products. Our aim was to evaluate plasma activity of MMP-2 and 9, as well as Lp-PLA(2), in subjects with coronary artery stenosis in comparison with controls and to correlate these activities with lipoprotein profile and general biomarkers of inflammation.


METHODS
Forty two subjects who had undergone coronary angiography were divided into two groups: patients with coronary vessels with at least 45% stenosis (CAD [coronary artery disease], n = 24) and patients without angiographically detectable coronary artery disease (controls, n = 18). Plasma activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was measured and correlated with markers of systemic inflammation (hs-CRP), subendothelial inflammation (Lp-PLA(2)) and lipoprotein profile.


RESULTS
Plasma activity of both MMPs was consistently higher in patients than in controls (p <0.01). Pro-MMP-2 (r = 0.34, p <0.01) and MMP-9 (r = 0.51, p <0.02) activities correlated with apoprotein B. Pro-MMP-2 correlated with hs-CRP (r = 0.47, p <0.01) and inversely with HDL cholesterol (r = -0.35, p <0.02). No differences were observed in Lp-PLA(2) between patients and controls (15.2 +/- 4.0 vs. 15.4 +/- 4.5 micromol/mL/h, p = NS, respectively), and no correlation was observed with MMPs.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP activity was higher in CAD than in controls. The correlation observed between pro-MMP-2 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) may be due to specific systemic inflammatory processes. No correlation was observed between Lp-PLA(2) and MMPs.
Muzzio
Maria Luz
ML
Laboratory of Lipids and Lipoproteins, Physiopathology and Clinical Biochemistry Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Miksztowicz
Veronica
V
Brites
Fernando
F
Aguilar
Daniel
D
Repetto
Esteban Martin
EM
Wikinski
Regina
R
Tavella
Marcelo
M
Schreier
Laura
L
Berg
Gabriela Alicia
GA
D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D054467:Phospholipases A2 / Q000097:blood*
D054467:Phospholipases A2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9