Association of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 Promoter Polymorphisms, Their Serum Levels, and Activities with Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) in an Iranian Population.

The serum levels and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are associated with the risk of coronary artery calcification (CAC). We sought to investigate the association between MMP-2 -1575G>A (rs243866) and MMP-9 -1562 C>T (rs3918242) SNPs with MMP-2 and MMP-9 serum levels and activity in individuals with CAC. One hundred and fifty-five cases with CAC and 155 healthy individuals as control group from West of Iran were included and frequency of genotypes and alleles of rs243866 and rs3918242 in MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes were determined using PCR-RFLP. We also investigated the serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their activity using ELISA and gelatin zymography, respectively. Additionally, serum biochemical parameters including FBS (fasting blood sugar), urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL (high-density lipoprotein), LDL (low-density lipoprotein), calcium, and phosphorus as well as blood pressure (systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)) were measured. Our results showed that both serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (P < 0.001) and their activity (P < 0.001) were higher in individuals with CAC when compared to the control group. Carrying A and T alleles in MMP-2 -1575G>A (rs243866) and MMP-9 -1562 C>T (rs3918242) SNPs, respectively, may predispose the individuals to CAC by acting as the risk factors. Serum levels and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were found to be higher in CAC cases when compared to the healthy controls. Carriers of A allele in rs243866 SNP and T allele in rs3918242 SNP were shown to have higher MMP-2 and MMP-9 serum levels and activity that may result in increased ECM degradation and support the initiation and development of calcification.

Effect of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable disagreement over the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on left ventricular diastolic function that has necessitated the investigation of diastolic indices. The present study was conducted to evaluate left ventricular diastolic function and its indices, three months after performing the PCI procedure in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: In a quasi-experimental clinical trial study (before and after), 51 patients with CAD scheduled for elective PCI were investigated provided that their Ejection Fraction (EF) was > 30%. Before and three months after PCI, echocardiography was carried out to evaluate left ventricular diastolic indices including the E/Ea as the most important criteria for diagnosis of diastolic heart failure (DHF). RESULTS: Based on the E/Ea indices and after PCI, the number of patients with DHF decreased significantly: 40 patients (78.4%) before PCI versus 28 patients (54.9%) after PCI (p<0.05). The Mean and Standard error of deceleration time (DT), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), early diastolic mitral annulus velocity; Ea (E'), E/Ea and left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) indices underwent significant changes. In addition, MVA dur/PVA dur, PVs/PVd, and E/Ea indices had changed significantly after PCI in both genders. However, no significant difference was reported for the other indices. CONCLUSION: The E/Ea ratio as an important criterion for diagnosis of DHF was improved after PCI. Improvement of several other diastolic indices was observed after the PCI procedure. It can be concluded that PCI can be an effective treatment modality in patients with left ventricular diastolic indices.

Association between cholesteryl ester transfer protein TaqIB variants and risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus in the population of western Iran.

AIMS: To shed light on the previously inconsistent results about the association of cholesteryl ester transfer protein TaqIB (CETP TaqIB) variants, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: To determine the frequency of CETP TaqIB variants and to examine the possible association between CETP TaqIB polymorphism with CAD and T2DM, we studied 207 unrelated patients with CAD, 101 patients with T2DM, and 92 controls. The CETP TaqIB variants were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis indicated that the B1 allele of CETP was significantly associated with increased risk of CAD (odds ratio, OR 1.65 [95% confidence interval, CI 1.2-2.3, p=0.005]) and T2DM (OR 1.7 [95% CI 1.13-2.54, p=0.005]). Adjusted logistic regression analysis for the effects of age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia was performed; and a significant association was found between the B1 allele and risk of CAD (OR 1.9 [95% CI 1-3.6, p=0.049]) in patients with CAD. There were no associations between the CETP alleles and the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and HDL-C in studied groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study revealed that the CETP B1 allele is associated with increased risk of CAD and T2DM independent of plasma HDL-C level in our population.