Thiol supplementation inhibits metalloproteinase activity independent of glutathione status

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Paola Bogani1, Monica Canavesi, Tory M Hagen

  • 1Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|September 29, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Antioxidants like glutathione (GSH), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and lipoic acid (LA) differentially impact matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). These compounds affect MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and activity, crucial in conditions like atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes regulating extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity.
  • Excessive ECM degradation by MMPs contributes to diseases like atherosclerosis.
  • Activated macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), influencing MMPs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of antioxidants glutathione (GSH), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and lipoic acid (LA) on gelatinase production and secretion.
  • To understand the differential impact of thiol compounds on MMP expression and activity.

Main Methods:

  • Assessing the influence of GSH, NAC, and LA on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity.
  • Investigating the pre-transcriptional and direct interaction effects of these antioxidants on MMPs.

Main Results:

  • NAC and GSH directly inhibited MMP-2 activity; LA was ineffective.
  • LA inhibited MMP-9 expression at a pre-transcriptional level.
  • GSH directly stimulated MMP-9 activity via interaction with the enzyme.

Conclusions:

  • Thiol compounds exhibit varied effects on MMPs due to differing properties, cellular uptake, and metabolic characteristics.
  • These differential effects provide insights into managing MMPs in pathological conditions like atherosclerosis.

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