Association between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and total antioxidant status of patients with asymptomatic hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract

Significance and Impact of Study: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most studied viral agent and the common cause of the chronic liver diseases. It is generally asymptomatic and causes hepatic inflammation and tissue damage. Here, in this study, the potential hepatocellular damage due to the HCV was predicted by different metabolic pathways' biochemical markers such as total antioxidant status, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. This manuscript may not only raise awareness in dental patients, who are asymptomatic for HCV infection but also help predict any potential damage in liver tissue without using an invasive diagnostic method even if the patients have normal alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase records.Keywords alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, asymptomatic infection, hepatitis C virus, matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, quantitative PCR, total antioxidant status. AbstractThe aim of this study is to predict potential hepatocellular damage by determining total antioxidant status (TAS) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 levels of different groups of dental surgery patients who are asymptomatic (normal alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase records). Patients were divided into five groups according to the anamnesis [to be diagnosed formerly as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or not], microbiological (positive-anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA-positive or negative) and biochemical test results. Except for the control group, serum anti-HCV antibody levels and line immunoassay tests were found positive in all groups. HCV RNAs were found positive only in group 3 whom were formerly diagnosed with HCV infection, not under medical treatment and in group 5 under medical treatment (<2 9 10 5 IU ml À1 ). Statistical analyses were performed using one-way multifactorial ANOVA (MANOVA) at the statistical significance level of 5% and were confirmed that the changes in biochemical markers had significant effects on subjects who had been in different groups. Following multiple comparisons, significant groups' differences were obtained in all biochemical markers. In conclusion, to determine not only TAS levels but also the MMPs and evaluate those together may be noninvasive biomarkers for predicting the inflammation in liver and approaching the prognosis of HCV infection.

Hepatitis C Virus as risk factor for development of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egypt: II-Enhancement role of matrix metalloproteinases-2 in dissemination of HCC

“…Concerning the data of the circulating levels of MMP-2, our results are in accordance with Akca et al, (2013) (24) who detected high levels of circulating MMP-2 in patients diagnosed as HCV carriers either with or without positive plasma HCV RNA. They recommended the use of MMP-2 in monitoring the status of patients, determining the degree of damage to liver tissues, predicting the prognosis and over all management of HCV infection.…”

Novel Role for Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in Modulation of Cholesterol Metabolism

“…Like MMP-2, MMP-9 has been implicated in hepatitis and liver fibrosis. [73][74][75][76][77][78][79] In an experimental murine colitis model, Mmp9 À/À mice show an attenuated intestinal permeability and a lower degree of intestinal inflammation. 80 In addition, leukocyte recruitment resulting in the induction of proinflammatory cytokine expression was markedly impaired in the liver of Mmp9 À/À animals after hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury.…”

“…In the current study, we could not detect statistically significant changes for liver weight or plasma aspartate and alanine aminotransferase concentrations between Mmp9 −/− and Mmp9 +/+ mice on an HFD or a standard fat diet; however, these observations do not exclude a role for MMP‐9 in inflammation. Like MMP‐2, MMP‐9 has been implicated in hepatitis and liver fibrosis . In an experimental murine colitis model, Mmp9 −/− mice show an attenuated intestinal permeability and a lower degree of intestinal inflammation .…”

Metalloproteinases in liver fibrosis: current insights

“…53,54 Thus, MMP-2-deficient mice show enhanced fibrosis after CCL 4 treatment and MMP-2 could be therefore critical for inhibiting type I collagen synthesis by activated HSCs, which strongly express this MMP. 55,56 MMP-9 and MMP-2 are elevated in serum and livers of patients with chronic hepatitis type B and C. [57][58][59] Elevated expression of MMPs in the mentioned fibrotic conditions was shown both in liver parenchyma 60 and portal macrophages. 57,61 Especially, MMP-9 seems to be involved in ongoing liver inflammation, 62 and its level drops after antiviral treatment.…”