title: Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Recovery of Acute Ischemic Stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke outcome can be predicted by clinical features, biochemical parameters, and some risk factors. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is involved in various stages of stroke pathology. MMP-9 inhibitors are potential stroke therapeutic agents. Little is known about the relation between MMP-9-after the acute stage-and clinical recovery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to investigate the serum level of MMP-9 at stroke onset as predictor of stroke outcome and the relation between the level of MMP-9 after 30 days and stroke recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, modified Rankin Scale, and serum level of MMP-9 were assessed in 30 patients with acute ischemic stroke during the first 24 hours of onset and then a month later. None of the patients received thrombolytic therapy. Thirty normal volunteers of matched age and sex were included in the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum level of MMP-9 at stroke onset was independently positively correlated with stroke outcome. The serum level of MMP-9 30 days after stroke onset was positively correlated with initial stroke severity and outcome, as well as with clinical recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher serum level of MMP-9 at stroke onset can be a predictor of poor stroke outcome. However, beyond the acute stage, MMP-9 may play beneficial role in stroke recovery.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Maged M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Abdelnaseer
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nervana M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Elfauomy
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Electronic address: emaan_neuro@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Eman H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Esmail
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Manal M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Enji H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Elsawy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
keywords: Matrix metalloproteinase; NIHSS; modified Rankin Scale; outcome; predictor; recovery; stroke