[Implications of serum matrix metalloproteinase-8 elevation in patients with acute coronary syndrome]

To study the clinical significance of serum matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) concentration variation in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect serum MMP-8 content in 80 ACS patients, including 43 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and 37 with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), as well as in 43 with stable angina pectoris (SAP) cases and 37 control subjects. The risk factors for atherosclerosis pertaining to age, sex, hypertension, body mass index, smoking, family history, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, etc. were evaluated statistically in each case.

Serum MMP-8 concentration was significantly higher in ACS group than in SAP and control groups (Plt;0.01). In ASC group, serum MMP-8 was much higher in AMI patients than in those with UAP (Plt;0.01), but similar between UAP and SAP groups (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified serum MMP-8 concentration as the possible indicator of ACS (B=4.493, P=0.000), and particularly AMI (B=9.961, P=0.000). Linear correlation and linear regression analysis revealed that only neutrophils were associated with serum MMP-8 concentration variation (r=0.274, P=0.001).

Serum MMP-8 concentration is closely associated with ACS, particularly AMI, and may serve as an indicator for predicting ACS and AMI. Neutrophils may be connected with the variation of serum MMP-8 concentration, but not as the major factor.