[Association between serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 concentration and the promoter 5A/6A polymorphism in patients with coronary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between serum matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) concentrations and the promoter 5A/6A polymorphism in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODS

The study enrolled 137 CHD patients and 106 control subjects without CHD. The diagnosis of both groups were confirmed by coronary artery angiography. One hundred and thirty-seven CHD patients were divided into acute myocardial infarction (AMI)group, unstable angina pectoris (UAP) group and stable angina (SA) group according to World Health Organization criteria. Serum concentration of MMP-3 was measured by enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). MMP-3 promoter gene containing the 5A/6A polymorphism was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were digested by Tth111 I and then were separated by electrophoresis on agarose gel.

RESULTS

The distribution of MMP-3 genotype was not significantly different between CHD patients and controls, so was it between AMI patients and controls. Serum MMP-3 level was significantly higher in AMI group than controls, UAP group and SA group (56.815+/-38.932)microg/L, (39.149+/-24.155)microg/L, (41.640+/-29.180)microg/L, (33.336+/-20.755)microg/L; P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum MMP-3 levels were not significantly different among genotypes and among controls, UAP and SA groups. No significantly differences in serum MMP-3 levels were found among patients with different numbers of coronary arteries that were involved in CHD.

CONCLUSION

No marked association could be found between 5A/6A polymorphism in MMP-3 gene and risk of CHD and AMI. Higher serum level of MMP-3 is strong associated with AMI, while not with number of coronary arteries that are involved in CHD. These data suggest that MMP-3 is a useful marker for AMI, and it might play an important role in the induction of disruption of atherosclerosis plaque.