Serum matrix metalloproteinase-2: A potential biomarker for diagnosis of epilepsy

• Our research showed that epilepsy patients have lower serum MMP-2 levels than healthy controls.
• Serum MMP-2 was able to discriminate epilepsy cases from healthy controls with 71.13% sensitivity and 62.66% specificity.
• Our study reported a decrease of serum MMP-2 with age in both epilepsy and control groups.

ObjectivesIn this study, we evaluate the utility of serum metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) as a biomarker for the diagnosis of epilepsy.MethodsWe assessed serum MMP-2 levels in 233 epileptic and 97 healthy control subjects. Control subjects had no complaints or signs of neurological disorders for at least 12 months prior to serum collection. Serum MMP-2 levels were determined using the Luminex technology.ResultsCompared with controls, subjects with epilepsy had significantly lower serum MMP-2 concentrations (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between males and females in either group (P > 0.05). Serum MMP-2 concentrations were highly correlated with age in both groups, and this correlation was strongest for males. When an MMP-2 cut-off value of 175.40 ng/ml was used, the sensitivity for distinguishing subjects with epilepsy from controls was 71.13% and the specificity was 62.66%.ConclusionsOur results reveal that serum MMP-2 may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of epilepsy.