MMP-9 Levels and IMT of Carotid Arteries are Elevated in Obese Children and Adolescents Compared to Non-Obese

Abstract Background: Childhood obesity is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Increased intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery is linked to the initiation and progression of the chronic inflammatory processes implicated in cardiovas...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Claudio Andrade, Adriana Bosco, Valeria Sandrim, Francisco Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia (SBC)
Series:Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0066-782X2017000300198&lng=en&tlng=en
Description
Summary:Abstract Background: Childhood obesity is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Increased intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery is linked to the initiation and progression of the chronic inflammatory processes implicated in cardiovascular disease. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays an important role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix and, consequently, in the development, morphogenesis, repair and remodeling of connective tissues. Objectives: (i) to determine and compare the concentrations of MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase -1 (TIMP-1), and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in obese and non-obese children and adolescents; (ii) to investigate the association of these markers with common and internal IMT of carotid arteries. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 32 obese and 32 non-obese (control) individuals between 8 - 18 years of age. Results: Significantly (p < 0.05) higher values of MMP-9 concentration, as well as a higher MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were detected in the obese group compared to control counterparts. Common and internal carotid IMT values were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the obese group compared to the control group. Positive correlations were observed between the common carotid IMT values and MMP-9 concentrations as well as MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that obese children and adolescents present higher mean IMT values, plasma MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio compared to the non-obese. Thus, these findings indicate that this group presents a risk profile for early atherosclerosis.
ISSN:1678-4170