The prominent expression of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-8 in acute thoracic aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND

The relationship between elastolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (such as MMP-2, MMP-9) and thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) has been described, but little is known regarding the role of collagenolytic MMPs in thoracic aortic dissection. The aim of this study was to determine the role of MMP-8 in acute thoracic aortic dissection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-five patients affected by TAD and 40 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were recruited into this study. Blood samples within 72 h of the onset of symptoms were available for all the 85 patients. Healthy individuals were selected from the out-patients who complained of chest pain but in whom no cardiovascular diseases were found. Plasma levels of MMP-1, -8, -13 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique in all subjects. Aortic tissue samples obtained during surgery were evaluated by Western blot for MMP-8 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) expression.

RESULTS

Plasma MMP-8 levels in patients affected by TAD and AMI were both higher than that in healthy subjects (284.35 ± 96.32 ng/mL and 88.57 ± 26.71 ng/mL versus 75.39 ± 23.36 ng/mL). The difference of the MMP-8 level between TAD patients and healthy subjects was significant (P = 0.000). No significant differences were found in MMP-1 and MMP-13 plasma levels among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The acute phase of TAD is characterized by a prominent increase of MMP-8 plasma level, which may play a key role in the occurrence of TAD. MMP-8 could be involved in the acute inflammatory reaction and may be a useful marker for the diagnosis of acute TAD.