The Significance of MMP-9 and hs-CRP in Plasma of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective:To determine the plasma levels of MMP-9 and hs-CRP and their significance in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: The Patients were selected from the department of cardiology in the thind Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat Sen University from Sep. 2002 toSsep. 2003. Plasma MMP-9 was assayed using ELISA in 30 patients with ACS, 29 with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and 17 normal controls (NL). Meanwhile, levels of plasma hs-CRP and lipids were determined using turbimetry. Results: The plasma levels of MMP-9 [ ( 13. 145±9. 796) ng/L] and hs-CRP [ (4. 336±1. 334) ng/L] in ACS group were much higher than those in SAP group [(2. 206±1.996) ng/L and (2.205±0.458) ng/L, respectively] (P0.001) and NL group [(1.663±1. 271) ng/L and (1.625±0.434) ng/L, respectively] (P0.001). No statistical difference was found in plasma lipid level among the three groups. Conclusions: Inflammation may be present in patients with coronary heart diseases, and more significantly in those with ACS. Elevated MMP-9 and hs-CRP may provide valuable evidence in the diagnosis of ACS.