Increased plasma activity of metalloproteinase 2 in women with metabolic syndrome

Metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a significant role in vascular remodeling, and they have been suspected to be partly responsible for the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Metalloproteinases have been reported to be increased in atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, so far they have not been evaluated in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Plasma activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration, dense low-density lipoprotein, and insulin-resistance markers were measured in 38 nondiabetic women with (n = 19) and without (n = 19) MetS. Women with MetS had significantly higher plasma activity of MMP-2 than controls (median [range], 1.3 [0.4-3.1] vs 0.7 [0.1-1.9]; P = .001). MMP-2 activity positively correlated with waist, homeostasis model assessment, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P < .02) as well as with apolipoprotein B, dense low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol index (P < .001) and negatively with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < .002). Our finding of increased plasma activity of MMP-2 in women with MetS is important because they fit in with an early stage of cardiovascular disease; and measurement of soluble molecules may improve the risk assessment, early diagnosis, and prognosis of cardiovascular disease.