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Clinical Trial
. 2011 Sep 18:9:24.
doi: 10.1186/1476-7120-9-24.

Videodensitometric analysis of advanced carotid plaque: correlation with MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression

Liz Andréa V Baroncini  1 , Antonio Filho Pazin, Luiz Otávio Murta Jr, Lia S Nakao, Simone G Ramos, Dalton B Précoma
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Videodensitometric analysis of advanced carotid plaque: correlation with MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression

Liz Andréa V Baroncini et al. Cardiovasc Ultrasound. .

Abstract

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP) promote derangement of the extracellular matrix, which is ultimately reflected in plaque images seen on ultrasound. Videodensitometry can identify structural disturbances in plaques.

Objectives: To establish the correlations between values determined using videodensitometry in B-mode ultrasound images of advanced carotid plaques and the total expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in these removed plaques.

Methods: Thirty patients underwent ultrasonic tissue characterization of carotid plaques before surgery, using mean gray level (MGL), energy, entropy and homogeneity. Each patient was assigned preoperatively to one of 2 groups: group I, symptomatic patients (n = 16; 12 males; mean age 66.7 ± 6.8 years), and group II, asymptomatic patients (n = 14; 8 males; mean age 67.6 ± 6.81 years). Tissue specimens were analyzed for MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression. Nine carotid arteries were used as normal tissue controls.

Results: MMP-9 expression levels were elevated in group II and in normal tissues compared to group I (p < 0.001). TIMP-1 levels were higher in group II than in group I, and significantly higher in normal tissues than in group I (p = 0.039). The MGL was higher in group II compared to group I (p = 0.038). Energy had greater values in group II compared to group I (p = 0.02). There were no differences between patient groups in homogeneity and entropy. Energy positively correlated with MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression (p = 0.012 and p = 0.031 respectively). Homogeneity positively correlated with MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression (p = 0.034 and p = 0.047 respectively). There were no correlations between protein expression and MGL or entropy.

Conclusions: Videodensitometric computer analysis of ultrasound scanning images can be used to identify stable carotid plaques, which have higher total expression levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 than unstable plaques.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hypoechoic (lipid) carotid plaque and CaPAS analyzes. Left panel: bidimensional image of carotid plaque. Right panel: CaPAS parameters
Figure 2
Figure 2
Hyperechoic (fibrotic) carotid plaque and CaPAS analyzes. Left panel: bidimensional image of carotid plaque. Right panel: CaPAS parameters
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlations between protein expressions levels and energy parameters.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlations between protein expressions levels and homogeneity parameters.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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