title: Matrix metalloproteases as a pharmacological target in cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are involved in the development and the progression of atherosclerosis and are related to an elevated risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. An altered profile of MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) has been demonstrated in arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome and in cardiovascular disorders, such as coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this review was to examine the literature data regarding the possible effects of some molecules, commonly employed in subjects with cardiovascular disease, on the expression and the activity of MMPs and TIMPs. A search was conducted with PubMed, Medline, using combinations of the terms "matrix metalloproteases," "TIMP," "activity regulation," "pharmacological therapy," "cardiovascular disease," "antihypertensives," "antidiabetic drugs," "statins" and "antiplatelet agents". Review articles were also searched.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several drugs, and in particular diuretics, calcium-channel blocker, angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, statins, antidiabetic and antiplatelet agents, seem to influence, in different ways, the MMP pattern with beneficial effects on cardiovascular outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Keeping in mind these findings, the therapeutic strategy must be reconsidered in order to obtain a sensible MMP inhibition.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. eugenia.hopps@unipa.it.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hopps
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caimi
mesh_terms: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases