Role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and MMP inhibitors on intracranial aneurysms: a review article.

Cerebrovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and about one-fourth of cerebrovasculardeaths are due to ruptured cerebral aneurysms (CA). Hence it is important to find a way to reduce aneurysmformation and its subsequent morbidity and mortality. Proteolytic activity capable of lysing gelatin hasbeen shown to be increased in aneurysm tissue and expression of plasmin, membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-1(MT1-MMP), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in aneurysmal wall is more than what we observein normal cerebral arteries.