[The relationship between matrix metalloproteinase-9, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and stroke of stable stage]

Plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and serum level of high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) were detected to investigate their distributions between patients with stable stroke and those with asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis and to explore their clinical significance.

The mean level of the serum hs-CRP of the group with recurrent stroke (2.34 mg/L) was the highest, followed by that of the group with the stable stroke (1.45 mg/L), asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis (1.31 mg/L) and control group (0.96 mg/L) (P = 0.001). The level of the MMP-9 was in sequence of recurrent stroke group (121.82 ± 72.99) µg/L > asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis group (119.18 ± 80.01) µg/L > stable stroke group (112.76 ± 59.66) µg/L, while no statistical significance was found among groups (P = 0.947). However, the level of MMP-9 of three patient groups (118.08 ± 71.06) µg/L was significant higher than control group (57.55 ± 10.44) µg/L (P < 0.001). The spearman analysis for the relationship showed that the concentration of MMP-9 was positively associated with that of hs-CRP (r = 0.337, P < 0.001).

The hs-CRP maintained a high level in stable stage of stroke. The MMP-9 level in the patients group was significant higher than control group and the level of MMP-9 was positively associated with that of hs-CRP which suggested MMP-9 might be correlated with atherosclerosis other than stroke occurrence.