Peripheral blood level alterations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with chronic kidney disease on conservative treatment and on hemodialysis

ObjectivesData concerning the levels of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in uremia and dialysis are conflicting and incomplete.Design and methodsWe measured the serum MMP levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD), and we tried to identify factors that could affect their levels.ResultsMMP-2 and the high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were inversely correlated with hematological parameters in the whole CKD group. CKD patients with stages 3 + 4 showed a significant increase in the MMP-9 levels compared to the other studied groups; this metalloproteinase was inversely correlated with lymphocyte count, and positively correlated with the hsCRP. The MMP-2 levels were higher in pre and post HD patients compared to the control group and CKD stage 1 + 2. In contrast, there was no difference in the MMP-9 levels. Both MMP-2 and MMP-9 were associated with the leukocyte count in pre HD group.ConclusionsThis study suggests a connection between an inflammatory state, biochemical response and the MMP levels in uremic and dialysis patients.