Y Noji, K Kajinami, M A Kawashiri, Y Todo, T Horita, A Nohara, T Higashikata, A Inazu, J Koizumi, T Takegoshi, H Mabuchi
To investigate the clinical significance of circulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitos (TIMPs) in patients with premature coronary atheroscrelosis, we studied 53 consecutive male patients with angiographically defined premature (<65 years) and stable coronary artery disease. Plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were determined in peripheral blood by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay, and the results were compared with those from 133 age-matched control males. There were significant differences in all the MMPs and TIMPs (p<0...
May 2001: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine: CCLM