Peripheral blood level alterations of TIMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with Type 1 diabetes

Aim To determine the plasma levels of enzymes and inhibitors involved in extracellular matrix turnover in patients with Type 1 diabetes with normal renal function. Methods Plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) were measured in 43 Type 1 diabetic subjects and age- and sex-matched controls. Results No significant difference in plasma MMP-2 between diabetic patients and controls was observed. MMP-9 was detected in the plasma of 15 diabetic patients (35%), but undetectable in all control subjects (P < 0.015). Plasma TIMP-1 concentrations were significantly elevated (P < 0.001) in diabetic patients compared to controls. There was no correlation observed between MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and similarly between MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and age, duration of diabetes, blood pressure and glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)). Conclusions This study has demonstrated alterations in several plasma extracellular matrix modulators in the absence of significant vascular disease.