[Metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes].

INTRODUCTION: Abnormal activation of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in diabetes mellitus leads to extracellular matrix changes through the structural protein composition changes. The metalloproteinases inhibitors (TIMPs) are regulatory factors in this activity. Not all regulating mechanisms are completely known, especially in patients with type 1 diabetes. THE AIM OF STUDY: evaluation of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1, TIMP-2 levels in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 74 patients in the mean age 15 years (+/-3.0) suffering from type 1 diabetes for mean 6.6 years (+/-3.6) took part in the study. Patients were treated with flexible multiple daily insulin (n=54) and with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion - personal insulin pump (n=20). MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 blood serum levels were measured in all patients. 45 healthy persons matched for age, without atherosclerosis risk factors, with proper BMI and lipids levels were in the control group. RESULTS: MMP-2 level as well as TIMP-2 and TIMP-2 levels were significantly higher in patients with type 1 diabetes in comparison to the control group (p respectively <0,01; <0,02; <0,001). We observed higher MMP-9 level in obese patients than in patients with BMI value below 90 pc for sex and age (p<0,02). We noted lower MMP-2 level in patients with chronic complications and/or arterial hypertension (n=24) in comparison to patients without that kind of complications (p<0,05). Positive correlation between TIMP-1 level and HbA1c level was noted. Age of patients as well as BMI negatively correlated with MMP-2 and TIMP-2 and positively with TIMP-1. We observed a correlation between MMP-2, TIMP-2 and especially TIMP-1 with lipid levels. Strong positive correlation was noted between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 (r=0.8; p<0,0001). CONCLUSIONS: 1. MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels are higher in patients with type 1 diabetes than in the control group. 2. Age, diabetes duration, metabolic control, BMI and lipids levels have influence on the MMPs/TIMPs system. 3. TIMP-1 is supposed to be the key marker of metabolic disturbances in type 1 diabetes.