Contribution of Plasma Matrix Metalloproteinases to Development of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction in Hypertensive Subjects

Contribution of Plasma Matrix Metalloproteinases to Development of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction in Hypertensive Subjects

MUSTAFA SAGLAM, OSMAN KARAKAYA, ALI METIN ESEN, IRFAN BARUTCU, SERKAN DOGAN,¹ YUSUF KARAVELIOGLU, HEKIM KARAPINAR, TAYLAN AKGUN, OZLEM ESEN,² NIHAL OZDEMIR, SEMBOL TURKMEN¹ and CIHANGIR KAYMAZ

Department of Cardiology, Kosuyolu Heart Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, ¹Department of Biochemistry, Okmeydani Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, and ²Department of Cardiology, Memorial Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the myocardium and thus the pathogenesis of vascular and cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, we investigated contribution of plasma matrix metalloproteinases to development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive subjects. Hypertensive patients with (n = 27) and without LVH (n = 23) were included. All participants underwent a complete transthoracic echocardiographic examination, including recordings of the mitral annular early, late, systolic and diastolic velocities by Doppler imaging. Plasma concentrations of MMP-3 and MMP-9 were determined by the one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay method. Plasma MMP-3 and MMP-9 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with LVH than those without LVH (2.4 ± 1.2 vs 1.5 ± 0.7 ng/ml, p = 0.006 and 5.2 ± 2.8 vs 3.3 ± 1.7 ng/ml, p = 0.003, respectively). MMP-3 and MMP-9 levels were also correlated with left ventricular posterior wall thickness and Doppler indices of diastolic dysfunction. Our findings have suggested that increased MMP levels may contribute to LVH and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Therefore, treatment of hypertension with MMP lowering drugs, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, may have favorable effects on LVH and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

keywords —— matrix metalloproteinases; left ventricular hypertrophy; diastolic dysfunction

===============================

Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2006, 208, 117-122

Correspondence: Osman Karakaya, M.D., 19 mayis mahallesi sarikanarya sok., Muhsinbey Apt. No: 25/17-Kozyatagi, Istanbul, Turkey.

e-mail: drkarakaya@yahoo.com