The association of vascular endothelial growth factor, metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors with cardiovascular risk factors in the metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was proposed to examine the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and to compare these parameters with healthy controls. We also compared the possible association of the circulating levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and VEGF with cardiovascular risk factors in patients with MetS. We also compared the possible association of the circulating levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and VEGF with cardiovascular risk factors in patients with MetS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 45 patients with MetS and 17 healthy controls with a body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m2 were enrolled in the study. Plasma MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and VEGF levels were determined using ELISA.

RESULTS: TIMP-1,-2, MMP-2,-9 levels were significantly higher in patients with MetS compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001). Carotid intima-media thickness and serum VEGF levels were found to be significantly increased (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 respectively) in MetS compared with healthy controls. According to the ROC curves, TIMP-1 levels were both sensitive (93.3%) and specific (81.2%).

CONCLUSIONS: We observed that the patients with MetS have increased circulating concentrations of MMP-9, MMP-2, and TIMP-1, TIMP-2 that are associated with increased concentrations of VEGF. These findings suggest that MMP-2 may have a role in the increased cardiovascular risk of MetS patients.