[Serum levels of matrix metaloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), matrix metaloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metaloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) in children and adolescents with growth hormone deficiency].

Introduction: Matrix metaloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in various pathological processes including inflammatory response, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is associated with prematury atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Circulating levels of matrix metaloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) so far have not been assessed in children and adolescents with GHD.

Material and methods: Serum levels of matrix metaloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), matrix metaloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metaloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) were measured in 44 (11 girls and 33 boys) children and adolescents with newly diagnosed GHD [age (mean+/-SD) 12.5+/-2.7 years, height 1.3+/-0.1 m, body surface area (BSA) 1.1+/-0.2 m(2) and body mass index (BMI) 17.4+/-2.2 kg/m(2)] and in 32 (11 girls and 21 boys) healthy children and adolescents (age 12.4+/-2.9 years, height 1.6+/-0.2 m, BSA 1.4+/-0.3 m(2) and BMI 18.7+/-2.6 kg/m(2)). Human MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 measurements were carried out with the use of ELISA kits.

Results: Patients with GHD had significantly higher concentrations of MMP-2 (287.2+/-60.5 vs. 235.8+/-41.3 ng/ml, p<0.0001) and TIMP-2 (81.4+/-14.9 vs. 62.7+/-15.9 ng/ml, p<0.0001) levels than the control healthy group. There was no difference in MMP-9 levels (338.5+/-197.9 vs. 276.3+/-121.7 ng/ml, p=0.12) between patients with GHD and controls.

Conclusions: Children and adolescents with GHD have elevated serum concentrations of MMPs-2 and TIMP-2.