title: Associations of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 concentrations with carotid atherosclerosis, based on measurements of plaque and intima-media thickness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine associations of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) concentrations with the severity of carotid atherosclerosis, based on measurements of carotid plaque and intima-media thickness (IMT).
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study included 116 stroke-free participants (45.7% males, 54.3% females; mean age, 64.73 ± 14.53 years). Serum MMP-9 and MCP-1 concentrations were measured, and plaque morphology, including total plaque score (PS), plaque stability, and IMT, was assessed ultrasonographically. Participants were grouped according to total PS (0, 1-2, ≥ 3), plaque stability (no plaque, stable, unstable) and IMT tertiles (<0.8 mm, 0.8-1 mm, >1 mm). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of MMP-9 and MCP-1 concentrations with plaque and IMT values after adjusting for vascular risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMP-9 quartiles (vs. quartile 1) were significantly associated with a greater prevalence of plaque instability [Q2: odds ratio (OR) = 5.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-24.9, p = 0.042; Q3: OR = 15.5, 95% CI = 3.1-78.1, p = 0.001; Q4: OR = 13.2, 95% CI = 2.7-64.97, p = 0.001] and high total PS (Q3: OR = 10.02, 95% CI = 1.5-65.33, p = 0.016; Q4: OR = 21.5, 95% CI = 3.5-132.1, p = 0.001). MCP-1 concentration was significantly associated with IMT (OR = 22.94, 95% CI = 2.14-245.66, p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated serum MMP-9 concentration was independently associated with high total carotid artery PS, plaque instability, and large IMT value. MCP-1 concentration was independently associated with IMT, but not with plaque morphology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chong Qing Medical University, Number 76, LinJiang Road, YuZhong District, 400010 Chong Qing, China.
authors.forename: Changhong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chong Qing Medical University, Number 76, LinJiang Road, YuZhong District, 400010 Chong Qing, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chong Qing Medical University, Number 76, LinJiang Road, YuZhong District, 400010 Chong Qing, China.
authors.forename: Weina
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chong Qing Medical University, Number 76, LinJiang Road, YuZhong District, 400010 Chong Qing, China.
authors.forename: Fen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chong Qing Medical University, Number 76, LinJiang Road, YuZhong District, 400010 Chong Qing, China.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chong Qing Medical University, Number 76, LinJiang Road, YuZhong District, 400010 Chong Qing, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chong Qing Medical University, Number 76, LinJiang Road, YuZhong District, 400010 Chong Qing, China.
authors.forename: Yuejiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chong Qing Medical University, Number 76, LinJiang Road, YuZhong District, 400010 Chong Qing, China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chong Qing Medical University, Number 76, LinJiang Road, YuZhong District, 400010 Chong Qing, China.
authors.forename: Changlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chong Qing Medical University, Number 76, LinJiang Road, YuZhong District, 400010 Chong Qing, China. Electronic address: lifen_chen@163.com.
authors.forename: Lifen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000097:blood*; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D014527:Uric Acid; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
keywords: Carotid atherosclerosis; Intima–media thickness; Plaque score; Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9; Serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1