Relationship between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 and carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 Diabetes

Objective To investigated the relationship between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and carotid atherosclerosis(AS) in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 93 patients with T2DM were recruited to our study.The intima-media thickness(IMT) and plaques of carotid artery were measured.These patients were divided into 3 groups according to their IMT values: diabetes mellitus(DM) group(n=32),carotid artery intima thicken group(n=31) and carotid artery intima plaque group(n=30).At the same time,30 healthy individuals were selected as control.Serum level of MMP-9 were determined and analyzed.Results The serum MMP-9 in DM group was significantly higher than that in healthy controls([550.26±269.28]μg/L vs.[359.70±215.62]μg/L,t=2.23,P＜0.05).The serum MMP-9 level of intima thicken group(712.15±340.47)μg/L was significantly higher than that in healthy controls(t=4.53,P＜0.01) and DM group(t=2.40,P＜0.05).The serum MMP-9 level of plaque group([889.08±247.80]μg/L) was even more significantly higher than DM group(t=4.89,P＜0.01),IMT group(t=2.53,P＜0.05) and healthy controls(t=7.01,P＜0.01).Conclusion The severity of carotid atherosclerosis in T2DM is closely associated with the serum MMP-9 level. Key words: Matrix metalloproteinase-9; Atherosclerosis; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Carotid intima-media thickness; Macroangiopathy