Relationship between lysophosphatidic acid and matrix metalloproteinase-9 plasma concentrations and carotid atheromatous plaque stability in patients with cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation between plasma lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and carotid atheromatous plaque stability in patients with cerebral infarction.

METHOD: Patients with cerebral infarction underwent carotid artery duplex ultrasonography and transcranial Doppler monitoring for detection of microemboli. Patients were stratified by plaque type (no plaque, intima thickening, unstable plaque, stable plaque) and presence or absence of micoremboli. Plasma LPA and MMP-9 were quantified.

RESULT: LPA and MMP-9 concentrations were significantly higher and microemboli positivity was significantly more common in patients with unstable plaque (n = 21) than the other three groups (intima thickening, n = 16; stable plaque n = 41; no plaque; n = 12). There was a significant positive correlation between LPA and MMP-9 concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Plasma LPA and MMP-9 concentrations may be useful biomarkers in the clinical identification and prediction of unstable plaque, and in guiding treatment.