Metalloproteinase-3 Genotype as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Risk in Hypertensive Adolescents

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Hypertension develops as a result of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis or as a result of exchange of the extracellular matrix. In particular, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 is a major enzyme involved in the reconstruction of the arterial intima through activation of other MMPs. We analyzed MMP-3 genotypes in hypertensive and normotensive adolescents and sought to determine if a particular genotype is a predictor of cardiovascular complications. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty-four hypertensive adolescents and 59 healthy adolescents were included in this study. Serum aldosterone, renin, insulin, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), insulin, homocysteine, vitamin B(12), folate, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, and TIMP-2 were measured. MMP-3 genotypes were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer. The carotid intima media thickness (IMT), diameter, and brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were evaluated using ultrasound. RESULTS In hypertensive adolescents, blood pressure, anthropometric data, carotid IMT, baPWV, serum pro-MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were no different between the 6A/6A group and the 5A/6A group. Serum MMP-9 was higher in the 5A/6A group than in the control group. Aldosterone, insulin, and homocysteine were higher in the 6A/6A group than in the control group, and vitamin B(12) and folate were lower in the 6A/6A group than in the control group. CONCLUSION In conclusion, serum MMP-3 levels were not significantly different in different MMP-3 genotypes in hypertensive adolescents. However, few patients were included in this study. Further investigation is necessary to clarify the relationship between MMP-3 genotype and cardiovascular risk.