The Alteration of Plasma Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Level after the Addition of Bromelin 500 mg to Standard Therapy of Acute Ischemic Stroke and Its Correlation with Outcome.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) expression due to ischemic cause spreading of brain damage. Previous studies have reported that Bromelin was beneficial as anti-inflammation and prevent brain tissue damage.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the alteration of plasma MMP9 level after addition of Bromelin 500 mg to Standard therapy and its correlation with outcome in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: This was a preliminary report of a prospective randomised, double-blind study with pre and post-test design, forty-six acute ischemic stroke patients were randomly allocated with Bromelin and Standard groups. Measurement of MMP9 and outcome were performed before and after 14-days treatment.

Result: The Bromelin group showed a significant decrement of MMP9 level, from 6.02 ± 0.32 ng/ml before treatment to 5.50 ± 0.94 ng/ml after treatment (p = 0.028). There was a negative correlation between MMP9 level and mRS (r= -0.03; p = 0.905) and a positive correlation toward BI (r = 0.039; p = 0.859), while the Standard group showed increased MMP9 level from 5.82 ± 0.71 ng/ml to 5.91 ± 0.83 ng/ml (p = 0.616) which was correlated insignificantly to outcome.

Conclusion: We concluded that the addition of 500 mg Bromelin to standard ischemic stroke therapy reduced MMP9 level significantly and correlated to outcome improvement. However, there is a tight statistical correlation.