Prognostic value of serum MMP-9 level in acute ischemic stroke patient

Purpose MMP-9 is reported to be a marker of severity and worse outcome after stroke. Despite the above information, there are very few studies based on the evaluation of role of follow-up estimation of serum MMP-9 in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of follow-up estimation of serum MMP-9 in the prognosis of AIS patients. MMP-9 levels were also compared with reported biomarkers viz. Neuron-Specific Enolase (NSE), Glial specific protein (S100ββ) and Inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4). Materials/methods MMP-9, NSE, and S-100ββ were measured in serum samples collected at admission and expired/discharge time of AIS patients (n=48) using commercially available ELISA kits. ITIH4 was measured using Indirect ELISA protocol. Results MMP-9 at admission (3639 ±1471) and discharged/expired (3707 ±1268) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in AIS patients as compared to healthy control subjects (749 ±302). Expired patients showed significantly (p<0.05) higher MMP-9 as compared to survivors. Similarly, follow-up MMP-9 at discharge was higher in AIS patients who expired within one year (75%; 3/4). The observed values of MMP-9 significantly correlates (p<0.05) with NSE (r=0.452), S-100ββ (r=0.452) and ITIH4 (r=-0.2027). Conclusions Follow-up measurement of serum MMP-9 may help to predict both short term and long term mortality in AIS patients.