[Association between serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 concentration and the promoter 5A/6A polymorphism in patients with coronary heart disease].

Objective: To investigate the association between serum matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) concentrations and the promoter 5A/6A polymorphism in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: The study enrolled 137 CHD patients and 106 control subjects without CHD. The diagnosis of both groups were confirmed by coronary artery angiography. One hundred and thirty-seven CHD patients were divided into acute myocardial infarction (AMI)group, unstable angina pectoris (UAP) group and stable angina (SA) group according to World Health Organization criteria. Serum concentration of MMP-3 was measured by enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). MMP-3 promoter gene containing the 5A/6A polymorphism was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were digested by Tth111 I and then were separated by electrophoresis on agarose gel.

Results: The distribution of MMP-3 genotype was not significantly different between CHD patients and controls, so was it between AMI patients and controls. Serum MMP-3 level was significantly higher in AMI group than controls, UAP group and SA group (56.815+/-38.932)microg/L, (39.149+/-24.155)microg/L, (41.640+/-29.180)microg/L, (33.336+/-20.755)microg/L; P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum MMP-3 levels were not significantly different among genotypes and among controls, UAP and SA groups. No significantly differences in serum MMP-3 levels were found among patients with different numbers of coronary arteries that were involved in CHD.

Conclusion: No marked association could be found between 5A/6A polymorphism in MMP-3 gene and risk of CHD and AMI. Higher serum level of MMP-3 is strong associated with AMI, while not with number of coronary arteries that are involved in CHD. These data suggest that MMP-3 is a useful marker for AMI, and it might play an important role in the induction of disruption of atherosclerosis plaque.