Changes in the activity of connective tissue matrix enzymes in the metabolic syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Early atherosclerotic changes in the endothelium associated with metabolic syndrome are generated with the participation of inflammatory cells, cytokines and enzymes of the extracellular matrix. The study is aimed at a comparison between the activity of inflammatory agents, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and the enzymes of the connective tissue matrix in the blood of healthy female patients as well as those suffering from the metabolic syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examination included 35 women with metabolic syndrome (MS). The control group (C) comprised 35 healthy women. Lipidogram, C-reactive protein level (CRP), fasting glucose level (FGL), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and -9 activity, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TNF-α levels in blood were determined. RESULTS: As compared with the control group, the level of inflammatory factors and the activity of extracellular matrix enzymes in the metabolic syndrome were statistically higher (p < 0.05) and concerned the following parameters: TNF-α (pg/ml): MS 6.59 ±3.18, C 4.78 ±2.91; CRP (mg/dl): MS 2.18 ±2.04, C 1,26 ±1.35; TIMP-1 (ng/ml): MS 265.5 ±2.9, C 205.4 ±72.6; MMP-9 (ng/ml): MS 198.2 ±138.6, C 138.6 ±116.1. Statistically significant correlations were also found between TIMP-1 and the following factors: BMI (R = 0.400, p < 0.001), waist/hip ratio (WHR) (R = 0.278, p < 0.05), waistline (R = 0.417, p < 0.001), FGL (R = 0.290, p < 0.05), HDL cholesterol (R = –0.253, p < 0.05) and triglycerides (R = 0.269, p < 0.05).There were positive correlations of MMP-9 with FGL (R = 0.446, p < 0.001) and waistline (R = 0.260, p < 0.05); MMP-8 with FGL (R = 0.308, p < 0.05); and CRP with BMI (R = 0.370, p < 0.01), WHR (R = 0.325, p < 0.01) and waistline (R = 0.368, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome is connected with higher activity of cytokines (TNF-α), inflammatory markers (CRP) and matrix enzymes (MMP-9, MMP-8, TIMP-1).