Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase-12 level in patients with coronary artery ectasia

Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase-12 level in patients with coronary artery ectasia INTRODUCTİON AND AIM: The role of matrix metalloproteinases in the development of aneurysmal vascular diseases is known. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) and MMP specific tissue inhibitor-4 (TIMP-4) in patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE) compared to control individuals. METHOD: Our study consisted of 41 patients diagnosed with CAE and 41 control individuals matched by age and sex. Of the 41 patients diagnosed with coronary CAE, 23 had concomitant coronary artery disease (E1K1 group), while the remaining 17 patients did not have coronary artery disease (E1K0 group, üre ectasia group). Similarly, 23 of the 41 control subjects without CAE had concomitant coronary artery disease (E0K1 group), the remaining 17 individuals did not have coronary artery disease (E0K0 group, pure control group). Demographic data, coronary artery disease risk factors, drug use status, basal biochemical tests and serum MMP-12 and TIMP-4 values were comparted in case (E1K1 + E1K0) and control groups (E0K1 + E0K0). The same comparisons were repeated in the pure ectasia (E1K0) and pure control (E0K0) groups. RESULTS: MMP-12 (9.9 ± 2.9 vs 8.3 ± 3.9 ng/mL; p=0.042), TIMP-4 (5.8 [4.7-7.5] vs. 3.9 [2.7-5.8] ng/Ml; p=0.002) levels were significantly higher in the CAE group (E1K1+E1K0) than in the control group (E0K1+E0K0). In the CAE group, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between MMP-12 and TIMP-4 levels (r=0.699; p<0.001). Similarly, in the pure coronary ectasia subgroup (E1K0), MMP-12 (9.5 ± 3.1 vs 6.6 ± 2.6; p=0.009), TIMP-4 (7.2 ± 5.2 vs 3.9 ± 1.8; p=0.013) values were significantly higher than in the pure control subgroup (E0K0). In the pure coronary ectasia subgroup, the positive correlation between MMP-12 and TIMP-4 was observed to be stronger (r=0.913; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: MMP-12 and TIMP-4 levels are higher in CAE patients than in control subjects, suggesting that MMPs may have potential roles in the development of CAE. New studies are required to reveal the mechanisms of the potential relationship. Keywords: Coronary artery disease, coronary artery ectasia, Matrix metalloproteinase-12, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-4.