Objective: Increased arterial stiffness is a marker of atherosclerosis and is recognised early in the course of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP) are a family of proteolytic enzymes which are essential for the structure and function of large arteries. In this study, we examined for relationships between MMP and TIMP-1 and indices of arterial stiffness in subjects with T2DM.
Research design and methods: A total of 60 subjects with T2DM and 60 nondiabetic subjects were recruited. Aortic distensibility (AD) was assessed noninvasively by ultrasonography and augmentation index by pulse wave analysis.
Results: The values of AD were lower in subjects with T2DM than in controls (P<.001), while those of augmentation index were not significantly different between the two groups. Plasma concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were not different between diabetic and nondiabetic participants, while those of TIMP-1 were lower in the diabetic patients (P=.005). In the diabetes group, no significant associations were found between either AD or augmentation index and MMPs as well as TIMP-1, while duration of diabetes emerged as the strongest predictor of AD (P<.001). In the nondiabetic group, nonsignificant associations were also found between AD or augmentation index and MMPs as well as TIMP-1.
Conclusion: In patients with T2DM, plasma levels of MMP and TIMP-1 are not associated with arterial stiffness assessed by either AD or augmentation index.