Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2014; 122(01): 44-49
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1358762
Article
© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Impact of Type 2 Diabetes and Atorvastatin Treatment on Serum Levels of MMP-7 and MMP-8

N. P. E. Kadoglou
1   Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
,
N. Sailer
2   First Department of Internal Medicine, “Hippokratio” General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece
,
G. Fotiadis
2   First Department of Internal Medicine, “Hippokratio” General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece
,
A. Kapelouzou
3   Center of Experimental Surgery, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Greece
,
C. D. Liapis
1   Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 06 July 2013
first decision 04 September 2013

accepted 29 October 2013

Publication Date:
24 January 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Aim:

Novel members of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-7 and MMP-8, have emerged as predictors of cardiovascular events. Our study aimed to evaluate serum MMP-7 and MMP-8 concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the effects of atorvastatin on them.

Methods:

We enrolled 85 statin-free subjects with concomitant T2DM and hypercholesterolemia, but without overt micro-/macro-vascular complications (diabetic group – DG). 42 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects without chronic diseases or therapy served as healthy group (HG). All diabetic patients received fix dose of atorvastatin (20 mg/day). Clinical and anthropometrical parameters, lipids, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum MMP-7, MMP-8, their inhibitor (TIMP-1), IL-18, hsCRP and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were assayed at baseline in all participants and after 3 months in the DG.

Results:

At baseline, DG showed higher levels of BMI, systolic blood pressure, insulin resistance and FPG compared to HG (p<0.05). Similarly, DG appeared with elevated concentrations of MMP-7 (4.28±1.01 ng/ml vs 2.63±1.11 ng/ml, p<0.001), MMP-8 (73.07±21.96 ng/ml vs. 21.27±10.49 ng/ml, p<0.001) and inflammatory markers (WBC, hsCRP, IL-18, p<0.010). Importantly, atorvastatin treatment improved lipid profile, significantly reduced the concentrations of MMP-7, MMP-8 and inflammatory markers (p<0.01). Moreover, there was considerable suppression of both MMP-7/TIMP-1 and MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratios (p<0.01). In standard multiple regression analysis, the atorvastatin-induced reduction in MMP-7 was independently associated with LDL and IL-18 downregulation (R2=0.648, p=0.017). Similarly, IL-18 changes emerged as an independent determinant of MMP-8 alterations (R2=0.678, p=0.007).

Conclusions:

Hypercholesterolemic patients with T2DM showed elevated MMP-7 and MMP-8 serum concentrations. Atorvastatin reduced the latter concentrations and their ratio with TIMP-1. Those effects seemed mediated by the atorvastatin-induced suppression of inflammatory mediators.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00636766