Implication of oxidative stress and its correlation with activity of matrix metalloproteinases in patients with Takayasu's arteritis disease

Abstract Background Oxidative stress and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) together have been widely implicated in various inflammatory vascular disorders. As Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is an inflammatory disorder characterized by destruction of elastic fibers, we hypothesized that oxidative stress and MMPs might play an important role in pathophysiology of the disease. Methods 40 patients with clinically defined TA and equal number of normal, healthy, controls were enrolled in the study. Subjects with TA were further divided into clinically active disease or in remission phase of the disease. Results Augmented levels of 8-isoPGF 2α (238.9±125.7 vs 79.5±29.1ng/ml), nitrite (NO 2 − ) (14.9±15.6 vs 3.3±1.7μM) were observed in TA patients as compared to the controls ( p 2α (272.2±117.3 vs 105.9±43.5ng/ml) and NO 2 − (17.9±16.1 vs 3.1±2.5μM) levels were higher in subjects with active disease vs those in remission ( p p p >0.05). Further, gelatinolytic activity showed a positive correlation with 8-iso-PGF 2α and NO levels in patients with TA. Conclusions Increased oxidative stress and MMP activity may play an active role in the progression of Takayasu's arteritis disease.