Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 serum levels in patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia with and without stroke: case–control study

• Published in: Neuroradiology 2022-06, Vol.64 (6), p.1187-1193
• Main Authors: Marquez-Romero, Juan Manuel, Díaz-Molina, Raúl, Hernández-Curiel, Bernardo César, Bonifacio-Delgadillo, Dulce María, Prado-Aguilar, Carlos Alberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arteries; Blood vessels; Case-Control Studies; Cerebrovascular diseases; Computed tomography; Diagnostic Neuroradiology; Diameters; Elongation; Emergency medical care; Emergency medical services; Female; Gelatinase A; Gelatinase B; Humans; Imaging; Male; Matrix metalloproteinase; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Matrix metalloproteinases; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metalloproteinase; Middle Aged; Neurology; Neuroradiology; Neurosciences; Neurosurgery; Pons; Radiology; Serum levels; Stroke; Stroke - complications; Stroke - diagnostic imaging; Vertebrae; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency - diagnostic imaging
• ISSN: 0028-3940; 1432-1920
• DOI: 10.1007/s00234-021-02869-7

Purpose To describe the differences in the serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) with and without acute stroke. Methods Case–control study. From an outpatient clinic, we recruited 14 controls and 19 patients with VBD. We also recruited 33 patients with stroke from two emergency departments, 14 without VBD (S/-VBD) and 19 with VBD (S/ + VBD). All the patients underwent serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 measurements and a non-contrast CT scan. Two investigators assessed the intracranial vertebral arteries (VA) and the basilar artery (BA) at the mid-pons. Diagnosis of VBD was made if the BA diameter was ≥ 4.5 mm. Results The mean age of the 66 patients studied was 57.6 + 16.0 years, 41% female. In the 33 patients with stroke, the median NIHSS was 8 (range 15); there were no differences in the NIHSS scores between both groups with stroke. Median MMP-2 levels were lower in the S/-VBD when compared to controls. Median MMP-9 serum levels were higher in both groups with VBD when compared to controls and the S/-VDB group. Both groups with stroke exhibited higher MMP-9 serum levels than controls but were not statistically different from those found in patients with VBD. Serum levels of MMP-9 were significantly correlated with the diameters of the BA ( r  = 0.344, p  = 0.01) and the left VA ( r  = 0.305, p  = 0.05). Conclusion This study found that high serum levels of MMP-9 are associated with VBD independently of stroke and correlated with the degree of VBD.