Аннотация:Abstract. Objectives. Matrix metalloproteinase‐3 (MMP‐3) is implicated in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, and the MMP‐3 −1612 5A/6A polymorphism is associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The present study examined whether the −1612 5A/6A polymorphism in the promoter region of the MMP‐3 gene influences serum concentrations of MMP‐3 and whether serum concentrations of MMP‐3 are related to extent of coronary atherosclerosis and risk of MI. Design and subjects. This case–control study was conducted in three hospitals in the northern part of Stockholm. A total of 755 MI patients aged below 60 were screened, 433 entered and 387 completed the study. Three hundred and eighty‐seven sex‐ and age‐matched control subjects were recruited from the general population of the same county. Methods. The MMP‐3 genotype was determined by Pyrosequencing TM and the serum MMP‐3 concentration was quantified with an immunoassay. Severity and extension of CAD was assessed by quantitative coronary angiography in a subgroup of patients ( n = 243). Results. Patients had lower serum MMP‐3 concentration than controls. There was a strong association between MMP‐3 −1612 5A/6A genotype and serum concentrations of MMP‐3. The presence of one or two copies of the 6A‐allele was associated with a graded increase in serum MMP‐3. In female patients there was an inverse correlation ( r = −0.39, P < 0.05) between serum MMP‐3 concentration and plaque area. Conclusion. In conclusion, the serum concentration of MMP‐3 is influenced by MMP‐3 −1612 5A/6A genotype and associated with MI.
