Expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and NGAL in Tissue and Serum of Patients with Vascular Aneurysms and Their Modulation by Statin Treatment: A Pilot Study
Erika Cione,
Elena Piegari,
Giuseppe Gallelli,
Maria Cristina Caroleo,
Elena Lamirata,
Francesca Curcio,
Federica Colosimo,
Roberto Cannataro,
Nicola Ielapi,
Manuela Colosimo,
Stefano de Franciscis,
Luca Gallelli
Affiliations
Erika Cione
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
Elena Piegari
Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy
Giuseppe Gallelli
Unit of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, “Pugliese Ciaccio” Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Maria Cristina Caroleo
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
Elena Lamirata
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro, and Vascular Surgery Unit, 88100 Mater Domini Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Francesca Curcio
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro, and Vascular Surgery Unit, 88100 Mater Domini Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Federica Colosimo
National Institution of Social Insurance, Department of Medical Law, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Roberto Cannataro
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
Nicola Ielapi
Department of public Health and Infectious Disease, “Sapienza” University of Rome 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
Manuela Colosimo
Unit of Microbiology and Virology, “Pugliese Ciaccio” Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Stefano de Franciscis
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro, and Vascular Surgery Unit, 88100 Mater Domini Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Luca Gallelli
Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro, and Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance Unit, Mater Domini Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in vascular wall degradation, and drugs able to modulate MMP activity can be used to prevent or treat aneurysmal disease. In this study, we evaluated the effects of statins on MMP-2, MMP-9, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in both plasma and tissue in patients with aneurysmal disease. Methods: We performed a prospective, single-blind, multicenter, control group clinical drug trial on 184 patients of both sexes >18 years old with a diagnosis of arterial aneurysmal disease. Enrolled patients were divided into two groups: Group I under statin treatment and Group II not taking statins. In addition, 122 patients without aneurysmal disease and under statin treatment were enrolled as a control group (Group III). The expression of MMPs and NGAL in plasma was evaluated using ELISA, while their expression in endothelial tissues was evaluated using Western blot. Results: The ELISA test revealed greater plasma levels (p < 0.01) of MMPs and NGAL in Groups I and II vs. Group III. Western blot analysis showed higher expression (p < 0.01) of MMPs and NGAL in Group II vs. Group I, and this increase was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in patients treated with low potency statins compared to high potency ones. Conclusions: MMPs and NGAL seem to play a major role in the development of aneurysms, and their modulation by statins suggests that these drugs could be used to prevent arterial aneurysmal disease.
