Elevated circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and its association with cardiovascular risk in young smokers

Background: Smoking causes cardiovascular risk which may alter the stability between the production and degradation of the extracellular matrix. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a zinc-containing endopeptidase that degrades extracellular matrix and plays a vital role in tissue remodeling. As a result, elevated serum MMP-9 levels produced by smoking, particularly in younger age, raise the risk of future coronary heart disease (CHD). Aim and Objective: Our aim is to find out the possible relationship between circulating MMP-9 and the risk of cardiovascular disease in young smokers. Materials and Methods: The study contains three groups. Group 1 includes 60 young active smokers with diabetic CHD, Group 2 includes 60 young active smokers with CHD, and Group 3 includes 60 healthy controls as nonsmokers who were attending SRM Medical College Hospital in Tamil Nadu for cardiology and medicine OP. Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay was used to measure serum MMP-9, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and apolipoprotein E (APO-E) levels, and enzymatic techniques were employed to quantify lipid levels. Results: When compared to the controls, the mean serum MMP-9, hsCRP, and APO-E levels were significantly higher in both the groups. The study also shows a significant positive association between MMP-9 with hsCRP, APO-E, smoking burden, and smoking intensity. Conclusion: The study concludes that increased MMP-9 levels, particularly in inflammatory conditions caused by smoking, are associated with an increased risk of future cardiovascular disease.