title: Circulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 level is associated with cerebral white matter hyperintensities in non-stroke individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathogenesis of cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMH) has been poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate the association of circulating proteins, the biomarkers of inflammation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, and thrombosis with WMH in non-stroke individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic, laboratory, and brain magnetic resonance imaging parameters were prospectively analyzed in 137 subjects. The relationship between plasma interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, matrx-metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and overt WMH (Fazekas grading score ≥2) was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In univariate analysis, old age, high blood pressure, history of hypertension, and elevated plasma MMP-9 level were associated with overt WMH. In multivariate analysis, plasma MMP-9 still maintained a significant association with WMH. Plasma MMP-9 level was weakly but significantly associated with WMH volume (r = 0.232, p = 0.006). All the other circulating proteins examined failed to demonstrate a significant relationship with WMH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma MMP-9 is associated with pathophysiology of WMH development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yu-Kyung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Nam Keun
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang-Heum
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ok-Joon
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000503:physiopathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D056784:Leukoencephalopathies / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000097:blood; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9