Background: Patients with chronic heart failure (HF) are characterized by alterations in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) levels. However, the impact of hypolipidemic and antioxidant treatment in MMPs and TIMPs is unknown. In the present study, we sought to compare the effects of statins and xanthine oxidase inhibitors on circulating levels of MMPs and TIMPs in patients with chronic HF.
Methods: Forty-two clinically stable patients with mild to moderate HF were randomized to receive rosuvastatin 10 mg or allopurinol 300 mg daily and followed up for 1 month. Serum levels of MMP-2, -9, TIMP-1, and -2 were measured before and after treatment.
Results: Levels of MMP-2 and -9 were significantly decreased in the rosuvastatin group (from 251±52 ng/ml and 400±206 ng/ml to 215±47 ng/ml and 309±166 ng/ml, p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively), but not in the allopurinol group. In the rosuvastatin group, TIMP-2 levels were significantly increased (from 85±17 ng/ml to 93±16 ng/ml, p<0.05), while TIMP-1 remained unchanged. In the allopurinol group, no significant changes were observed regarding the levels of TIMPs.
Conclusions: Short-term rosuvastatin but not allopurinol administration decreases MMP-2 and -9 and increases TIMP-2 levels.
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