[Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity in cerebrospinal fluid of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients]

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a member of the family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that degrade extracellular matrix proteins. It can be activated by serine proteinases or by superoxide radicals. The motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients express significantly higher levels of MMP-9, suggesting a role in neurodegeneration. The aim of the study was to investigate MMP-9 in cerebrospinal fluid from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. MMP-9 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA in cerebrospinal fluid from 24 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and 15 controls. The mean amyotrophic lateral sclerosis duration was 18 months. According to Munsat ALS Health State Scale, the patients were divided into four groups: mild, moderate, severe, terminal. The patients were also divided into groups with shorter (below 12 months) and longer (above 12 months) duration of the disease. MMP-9 level was insignificantly lower in the cerebrospinal fluid from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients compared with controls. MMP-9 level showed a tendency to decrease with clinical status worsening, however this correlation was not statistically significant. The difference between MMP-9 level in the cerebrospinal fluid between the groups of patients with shorter and longer duration of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was not significant.