title: The role of matrix metalloproteinases and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in central and peripheral arterial aneurysms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An association between arterial aneurysms and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been described previously. MMPs regulate extracellular structural proteins and tissue remodeling. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is involved in the regulation of MMP activity. The aim of this work was to study the relationship between the levels of MMPs and NGAL and arterial aneurysms.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multicenter, open-label, parallel groups, prospective study, patients with aneurysmal disease were divided into 2 groups: Group I (with ruptured aneurysm) and group II (with nonruptured aneurysm). Healthy volunteer patients were also enrolled and represented the control group (group III).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 307 patients (107 in group I and 200 in group II) with arterial aneurysm: 49 popliteal, 31 common femoral, 2 superficial femoral, 29 common iliac artery, 3 common carotid, and 193 abdominal aorta. Finally, 11 healthy volunteer patients (9 males and 2 females; age range, 40-70 years; median 56) were enrolled in group III. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis revealed greater levels of immunoreactive MMP-9 and NGAL in all patients with ruptured aneurysms, both central and peripheral aneurysms, and in the aneurismal vessels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results provide potentially important insights to the understanding of the natural history of arterial aneurysms. MMPs and NGAL play a role in development of arterial aneurysms and may represent molecular markers for the prevention of aneurysmal rupture.
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. Electronic address: rserra@unicz.it.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Montemurro
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Butrico
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, S. Anna Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco Giuseppe
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Caliò
authors.affiliation: Unit of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, GE.P.O.S. Hospital, Telese Terme, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mastrangelo
authors.affiliation: Unit of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Regional Hospital of Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scarcello
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallelli
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buffone
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Franciscis
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9