Stężenie metaloproteinaz (MMPs) u dzieci z somatotropinową niedoczynnością przysadki.

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) can be associated with premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The vascular endothelial inflammatory process plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Recent scientific reports has proved that matrix metalloproteinases participate in the development of atherosclerotic process. The aim of study was to evaluate the activity of MMP-2, MMP- 9 and TIMP-2 and chosen markers of inflammation (IL-6, hsCRP) in children with GHD naïve to rhGH. Material and methods. The study involved 49 children (19 girls and 29 boys) aged 4,3 to 14,5 years (x=8,3±3,0) with diagnosed GHD qualified for rhGH substitution treatment and 23 healthy children (12 girls and 11 boys) aged 3,2 to 12,3 lat (x=7,6±2,3). MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, IL-6, hs-CRP serum levels and the anthropometric parameter (height, weight, BMI) were measured in all patients. Results. Patients with GHD had higher concentration of MMP-2 than the control healthy group (303,1±75,2 vs 244,6±44,3 ng/ml, p<0,001), as well as higher MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio (2,99±0,81 vs 2,24±0,61, p<0,001) and lower levels of MMP-9 (206,8±114,6 vs335±135,4 ng/ml, p<0,0001) and TIMP-2 (102,4±13,3 vs 112,0±13,4 ng/ml, p<0,0001). Levels of all other studied markers of inflammation and lipids were comparable. A correlation of MMP-9 concentration with body mass and BMI SDS of examined children was noticed (r=0,4397, p<0,0001 i r=0,4397, p<0,0001). Conclusions. Higher levels of MMP-2 and MMP-2/ TIMP-2 ratio indicates higher activity of inflammatory processes in patients with GHD in comparison to healthy children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]