[Effects of rosiglitazone on the IMTc and serum MMP-9 levels in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the change of carotid intima-media thickness (IMTc) and serum matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) levels in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patients, and to analyze the relationship between MMP-9 and IMTc; at the same time, to assess the effect of rosiglitazone on IMTc and MMP-9 levels.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were selected in our study, and 25 healthy adults served as normal controls. Diabetic patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A (31 subjects) were treated with rosiglitazone (4 mg/d), and Group B (27 subjects) were treated with metformin alone (500 approximately 1,500 mg/d). They all received the treatment for 3 months. The IMTc was measured by high resolution ultrasonography, and the serum MMP-9 was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assess the relationship between IMTc and MMP-9.

Results: The mean level of serum IMTc and MMP-9 in Type 2 diabetic patients was significantly higher than that in healthy adults (P < 0.05). After treatment with rosiglitazone and metformin, IMTc and serum MMP-9 levels decreased significantly (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in IMTc and serum MMP-9 levels in group B before and after the treatment (P = 0. 071, P = 0.065). Using multiple linear stepwise regression analysis, the significant correlation between IMTc and HbA1C, BMI, WHR, HDL-C, MMP-9 were discovered.

Conclusion: IMTc and MMP-9 levels increase in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patients, suggesting that there is closely relationship between serume MMP-9 levels and early diabetic macrovascular disease. IMTc and MMP-9 can be reduced significantly in the newly diagnosed diabetic patients after being treated with rosiglitazone, which may be one of the protective mechanisms of vascular vessels.