title: Increased MMP-2 in healthy postmenopausal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Matrix metalloproteases 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9) are involved in the atherosclerosis process. The objective of the study was to evaluate MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities and other circulating inflammatory factors in healthy postmenopausal women (PMW) as a model of subclinical atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three PMW and 13 premenopausal women (PreMW) were selected following established criteria. The main measurements in plasma samples were: lipid-lipoprotein profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (immunoturbidimetry), soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecules (sVCAM-1) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and MMP activity by zymography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The relative areas of MMP-2 were increased in PMW: 1.1 (0.1) versus 0.6 (0.05), P < 0.02. MMP-9 was only detected in three PMW and one PreMW. MMP-2 correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r = -0.51), triglycerides (r = 0.67), apolipoprotein B (r = 0.47), hs-CRP (r = 0.42), homeostasis model assessment (r = 0.53) and waist circumference (r = 0.40), at least P < 0.02. sVCAM-1 showed no difference between groups: 28.7 (5.5) versus 35.5 (20) ng/mL, but correlated with MMP-2 and hs-CRP (r = 0.46 and r = 0.48 respectively, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In postmenopause, the increase in MMP-2 reflects the systemic specific inflammatory process that accompanies atherogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Lipids and Lipoproteins, Physiopathology and Clinical Biochemistry Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Junin 956 (1113), Buenos Aires,  Argentina.
authors.forename: María Luz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Muzzio
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Miksztowicz
authors.forename: Esteban Martín
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Repetto
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brites
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schreier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000097:blood*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9