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Correlates of serum matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) concentrations in nondiabetic subjects without cardiovascular disease.

Aquilante CL, Beitelshees AL, Zineh I

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Denver, Colorado, USA. Christina.aquilante@UCHSC.edu

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the relative contribution of genetic and non-genetic variables to serum MMP-8 concentrations in nondiabetic subjects without known cardiovascular disease. METHODS: A blood sample was obtained from 100 subjects > or =18 y. Total serum MMP-8 concentrations were assayed by ELISA. MMP8 genotypes (-799 C/T and -381 A/G) were determined by PCR-pyrosequencing. RESULTS: MMP-8 concentrations were significantly higher in subjects with the metabolic syndrome (n=40) compared to those without the metabolic syndrome (11.71 vs 6.81 ng/ml, p<0.001) and in current smokers compared to non-smokers (13.51 vs 7.53 ng/ml, p=0.001). MMP-8 concentrations were significantly correlated with body mass index, triglyceride/HDL ratio, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, and age. MMP-8 concentrations were not significantly different between MMP8 genotype groups. In regression analysis, variables that were significantly associated with serum MMP-8 concentrations were presence of the metabolic syndrome and smoking (p<0.001 and p=0.009, respectively), accounting for 21.4% of the variability in serum MMP-8 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that the metabolic syndrome and smoking are independently associated with elevated serum MMP-8 concentrations. The relationship between MMP-8 concentrations and cardiovascular risk merits further investigation.

Published 13 March 2007 in Clin Chim Acta, 379(1): 48-52.
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