ABSTRACT
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). 5A allele of -1612 5A/6A polymorphism of MMP-3 is associated with two fold higher activity than 6A allele. Present study was designed to analyse the association of this polymorphism with CAD in Indian population. Subjects included in the study were patients with stable angina (n=35), unstable angina (n=53), patients with recent event of myocardial infarction (MI) (MI Group-1, n=56) and patients at presentation of the acute MI (MI Group-2, n=49). Controls were healthy individuals (n=99). Genotyping of MMP-3 5A/6A polymorphism was carried out by PCR-based restriction digestion method. The genotype distribution of patient groups did not deviate from controls. Serum MMP-3 levels were significantly elevated at presentation of the acute MI by 36.8% (P=0.031) as compared to controls and more associated with 6A genotype suggesting discrepancy between in vitro transfection experiment and peripheral MMP-3 levels.
