Circulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 is an independent correlate of proteinuria in patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) has been implicated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease. However, there is no knowledge about the correlations between serum levels of MMP-2, proteinuria and atherosclerosis in patients with CKD. We investigated whether serum MMP-2 levels were associated with proteinuria, intima media thickness (IMT), and the presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in CKD patients.

METHODS

CKD patients without hemodialysis (n = 99) were enrolled. MMP-2 levels were measured by an ELISA system. IMT and carotid atherosclerotic plaque were evaluated by a high-resolution ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Multivariate analyses revealed that low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.001), MMP-2 (p = 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.011) were independent correlates of proteinuria. Age- and serum creatinine-adjusted MMP-2 levels were significantly increased (p = 0.001) in proportion to the increasing levels of proteinuria. Further, age (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.015) and MMP-2 levels (p = 0.042) were independent correlates of IMT. MMP-2 levels were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in patients with atherosclerotic plaque than those without it.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that serum levels of MMP-2 were one of the independent correlates of proteinuria and IMT in patients with CKD. Our results suggest that serum MMP-2 levels may be one of the risk factors for renal damage and atherosclerosis in CKD patients.