Correlation between genetic polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with coronary artery disease and cardiac remodeling

Objective: To explore the correlation between genetic polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and cardiac remodeling.

Methods: A total of 272 subjects who received coronary angiography in our hospital from July 2008 to September 2013 were selected, including 172 CAD patients (CAD group) and another 100 ones (control group). Both groups were subjected to MMP-9 and ultrasonic detections to determine vascular remodeling and atherosclerotic plaques. C1562G polymorphism of MMP-9 gene was detected, and correlation with vascular remodeling and atherosclerotic plaque was analyzed.

Results: Serum MMP-9 level of CAD group (330.87±50.39 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that of control group (134.87±34.02 ng/ml) (P<0.05). Compared with control group, CAD group had significantly higher intima-media thickness, and significantly lower systolic peak velocity, mean systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity (P<0.05). Total area of stenotic blood vessels was 67.34±22.98 mm2, while that of control blood vessels was 64.00±20.83 mm2. G/G, G/C and C/C genotype frequencies of MMP-9 differed significantly in the two groups (P<0.05). G and C allele frequencies of CAD group (70.9% and 29.1%) were significantly different from those of control group (50.0% and 50.0%) (P<0.05). G/G, G/C and C/C genotypes were manifested as lipid-rich, fibrous and calcified or ulcerated plaques respectively. Total area of stenotic blood vessels of G/G genotype significantly exceeded those of G/C and C/C genotypes (P<0.05), whereas the latter two had no significant differences.

Conclusion: CAD promoted 1562C-G transformation of MMP-9 gene into genetic polymorphism, thus facilitating arterial remodeling and increasing unstable atherosclerotic plaques.