title: Matrix Metalloproteinase Levels in Cervical and Intracranial Carotid Dolichoarteriopathies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes suggested as a possible candidate for pathogenesis of arterial dolichoarteriopathy (DA). We aimed to investigate the relationship between MMP levels and DA of intra- and extracranial carotid arteries.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 88 subjects admitted with headache, vertigo, or pulsatile tinnitus and those who underwent computed tomography angiography. The study group (n = 70) consisted of patients with kink-coiling (group I, n = 41) and patients with tortuosity (group II, n = 29). The control group (n = 18) had normal angiography results. The diameter, course, and geometry of the carotid artery were analyzed. Serum MMP-1, -2, -3, and -12 levels were measured in all subjects. Vascular risk factors for DA were also noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMP-2 levels were significantly higher in the kink-coiling and tortuous groups than in the control group. In the study group (n = 70), MMP-12 levels were also significantly higher in patients with atheromatous plaques than in those without plaques. Diameters of arteries were meaningfully wider in the kink and tortuous groups than in the control group. Among vascular risk factors, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were more common in the kink group than in the control group, and there were significant differences between them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-2 plays a role in the etiology of DA, and MMP-12 levels increase in carotid atherosclerotic lesions and may lead to plaque formation. We demonstrated that dilatation and tortuosity occur together.
authors.affiliation: Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital Neurology Clinic, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: dryildizarslan@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Yıldız
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.affiliation: Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital Head and Neck Surgery Clinic, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: İlker Burak
authors.initials: İB
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.affiliation: Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital Radiology Clinic, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yeliz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pekçevik
authors.affiliation: Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital Neurology Clinic, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Şener
authors.affiliation: Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital Microbiology and immunology Clinic, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Şükran
authors.initials: Ş
authors.lastname: Köse
authors.affiliation: Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital Neurology Clinic, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yaşar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zorlu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases
keywords: Dolichoectasia; MMP levels; cervical and intracranial carotid arteries; tromboembolic stroke