Markers of proteolysis, fibrinolysis, and coagulation in relation to size and growth rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
We evaluated whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9, their inhibitors, markers for fibrinolysis, and thrombin activation are associated with diameter and growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).


METHODS
Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP-1), serpine-1, tPa-serpine-1, and activated protein C- protein C inhibitor (APC-PCI) complex were analyzed in 353 patients with AAA grouped according to AAA size, and 219 gender- and age-matched healthy individuals. Follow-up of AAA growth for up to 7 years was possible in 178 of 353 patients.


RESULTS
At baseline, all groups of patients with AAA showed lower levels of MMP-2 and -9, and higher levels of TIMP-1, serpine-1, and t-Pa-serpine-1 than controls. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 correlated inversely and APC-PCI complex correlated directly with AAA diameter. We found no correlations between markers for proteolysis, fibrinolysis, coagulation, and yearly AAA growth.


CONCLUSIONS
Matrix metalloproteinase 2 is lower and APC-PCI higher in patients with larger AAA, but the relevance of the markers for AAA growth is far from clarified.
Flondell-Sité
Despina
D
University of Lund, Vascular Centre, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. despina.site@gmail.com
Lindblad
Bengt
B
Kölbel
Tilo
T
Gottsäter
Anders
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000097:blood*; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011486:Protein C / Q000378:metabolism; D018046:Protein C Inhibitor / Q000097:blood; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D011486:Protein C; D018046:Protein C Inhibitor; C051321:SERPINE1 protein, human; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9