International Journal of COPD (May 2016)
Relationship between plasma matrix metalloproteinase levels, pulmonary function, bronchodilator response, and emphysema severity
Abstract
Hyeon-Kyoung Koo,1 Yoonki Hong,2 Myoung Nam Lim,2 Jae-Joon Yim,3 Woo Jin Kim2 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, 2Department of Internal Medicine and Environmental Health Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si, 3Department of Internal Medicine and Lung Institute, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation in the airway and lung. A protease–antiprotease imbalance has been suggested as a possible pathogenic mechanism for COPD. We evaluated the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels and COPD severity.Methods: Plasma levels of MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-9, and MMP-12 were measured in 57 COPD patients and 36 normal controls. The relationship between MMP levels and lung function, emphysema index, bronchial wall thickness, pulmonary artery pressure, and quality of life was examined using general linear regression analyses.Results: There were significant associations of MMP-1 with bronchodilator reversibility and of MMP-8 and MMP-9 with lung function. Also, MMP-1, MMP-8, and MMP-9 levels were correlated with the emphysema index, independent of lung function. However, MMP-12 was not associated with lung function or emphysema severity. Associations between MMP levels and bronchial wall thickness, pulmonary artery pressure, and quality of life were not statistically significant.Conclusion: Plasma levels of MMP-1, MMP-8, and MMP-9 are associated with COPD severity and can be used as a biomarker to better understand the characteristics of COPD patients. Keywords: matrix metalloproteinase, pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive, respiratory function test, pulmonary emphysema, bronchodilator response
