Cardiovascular Diabetology (Sep 2009)

MMP-1 serum levels predict coronary atherosclerosis in humans

  • Reiser Maximilian,
  • Tittus Janine,
  • von Ziegler Franz,
  • Becker Alexander,
  • Laubender Rüdiger P,
  • Lebherz Corinna,
  • Broedl Uli C,
  • Greif Martin,
  • Lehrke Michael,
  • Becker Christoph,
  • Göke Burkhard,
  • Steinbeck Gerhard,
  • Leber Alexander W,
  • Parhofer Klaus G

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2840-8-50
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
p. 50

Abstract

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Background Myocardial infarction results as a consequence of atherosclerotic plaque rupture, with plaque stability largely depending on the lesion forming extracellular matrix components. Lipid enriched non-calcified lesions are considered more instable and rupture prone than calcified lesions. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are extracellular matrix degrading enzymes with plaque destabilisating characteristics which have been implicated in atherogenesis. We therefore hypothesised MMP-1 and MMP-9 serum levels to be associated with non-calcified lesions as determined by CT-angiography in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods 260 patients with typical or atypical chest pain underwent dual-source multi-slice CT-angiography (0.6-mm collimation, 330-ms gantry rotation time) to exclude coronary artery stenosis. Atherosclerotic plaques were classified as calcified, mixed or non-calcified. Results In multivariable regession analysis, MMP-1 serum levels were associated with total plaque burden (OR: 1.37 (CI: 1.02-1.85); p Conclusion MMP-1 serum levels are associated with total plaque burden but do not allow a specification of plaque morphology.