Abstract
The altered matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been suggested in the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Genetic variants in the promoter region of
MMP1
and
MMP9
genes may modulate an individual's susceptibility to MetS. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of
MMP1
−519 A:G and
MMP9
−1562 C:T polymorphisms and the correlation with serum levels of
MMP1
and
MMP9
in MetS susceptibility. On the basis of anthropometric profile and laboratory investigations, 180 confirmed MetS patients and 190 unrelated healthy controls of similar ethnicity were genotyped for
MMP1
−519 A:G and
MMP9
−1562 C:T polymorphisms by using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. In addition, serum levels of
MMP1
and
MMP9
were quantified by ELISA. We found that the serum level of
MMP9
was significantly higher in MetS patients. Variant genotype TT of
MMP9
−1562 demonstrated increased risk (odds ratio [OR]=3.70,
p
=0.015) of MetS. Similarly, variant allele T (OR=1.77,
p
=0.002) and combined genotype CT+TT (OR=1.81,
p
=0.057) also showed a significantly higher risk. The CT and TT genotypes of
MMP9
−1562 polymorphism contributed to high serum levels of
MMP9
in MetS patients. However, no such association was observed with the
MMP1
serum level and −519 A:G polymorphism. Our results suggest that a higher serum level of
MMP9
in the presence of
MMP9
polymorphism −1562 C:T might be a risk factor for the development of MetS. The
MMP9
enzyme activity might be a significant indicator in the screening of MetS patients.