Peripheral blood level alterations of TIMP‐1, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in patients with Type 1 diabetes

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Abstract
Aim To determine the plasma levels of enzymes and inhibitors involved in extracellular matrix turnover in patients with Type 1 diabetes with normal renal function. Methods Plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP‐2, MMP‐9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP‐1) were measured in 43 Type 1 diabetic subjects and age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Results No significant difference in plasma MMP‐2 between diabetic patients and controls was observed. MMP‐9 was detected in the plasma of 15 diabetic patients (35%), but undetectable in all control subjects (P < 0.015). Plasma TIMP‐1 concentrations were significantly elevated (P < 0.001) in diabetic patients compared to controls. There was no correlation observed between MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 and similarly between MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 and age, duration of diabetes, blood pressure and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Conclusions This study has demonstrated alterations in several plasma extracellular matrix modulators in the absence of significant vascular disease. Diabet. Med. 18, 777–780 (2001)