Elevated MMP-1 and TIMP-1 are related with acute cerebral infarction patients with diabetes mellitus

Objective: We measured serum matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) level in diabetic patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI); and their clinical significance in the development of cerebral infarction. Methods: A total of 87 diabetic patients with ACI were recruited successfully as group A; 67 diabetic patients without cerebral infarction (group B), 61 non-diabetic cerebral infarction (NDCI) patients (group C) and 58 healthy cases (group D) were recruited for comparisons. The elbow vein blood was collected in diabetic patients with ACI at the 1st, 3nd and 7th day of their onset; and the blood was collected in other 3 groups at their routine physical examination. The expressions of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) methods. Results: The expressions of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in diabetic patients with ACI in the 1st, 3nd and 7th day were obviously higher than diabetic patients without cerebral infarction, non-diabetic cerebral infarction patients and healthy control (p < 0.05). For diabetic patients with ACI, the expressions of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in 3 time points have statistical difference (p < 0.05); and the levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 gradually increased with the deterioration of the ACI. Conclusions: For diabetic patients with cerebral infarction, the elevated levels of MMP-1, TIMP-1 in serum are positively related with blood glucose levels, and the deterioration of cerebral infarction. The detection of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in diabetic patients with cerebral infarction might useful for the prevention of early onset of acute cerebral infarction.