Expression of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and plasma zinc concentrations in women with fibroadenoma

Association of Zinc Status with Matrix Metalloproteinases, Advanced Glycation End-Products, and Blood Pressure in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and hypertension trigger the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Zinc is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and a possible role in regulating blood pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of serum zinc with matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 (MMP-2, MMP-9), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and blood pressure in patients with CKD. This cross-sectional study included 90 patients with CKD. Serum zinc and the levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, AGEs, and creatinine were measured using validated biochemical methods. Three 24-h food recalls were completed to evaluate dietary zinc intake. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were measured using a digital sphygmomanometer. Participants' mean age was 60.68 ± 8.81 years. The prevalence of zinc deficiency in our participants was 10%. Serum zinc was negatively correlated with MMP-9 (r =  - 0.231, p = 0.032) and creatinine (r =  - 0.304, p = 0.004). However, after adjusting for confounding variables, the association between serum zinc and MMP-9 was near the significance level (β =  - 0.174, p = 0.09) and zinc remained in the model as one of the predictors. Serum zinc was positively correlated with the dietary intake of zinc (r = 0.241, p = 0.025) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r = 0.259, p = 0.015). In conclusion, our results showed that serum zinc might be one of the predictors of serum MMP-9 in patients with CKD. In addition, serum zinc was positively associated with its dietary intake and eGFR. Future longitudinal studies or clinical trials are required to reveal any causal association between zinc status and profibrotic or inflammatory biomarkers among patients with CKD.

Relationship between Trace Elements and Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and their Tissue Inhibitors in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma

Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) constitutes around 5% of all thyroid cancers. Trace elements assessment has emerged as a useful strategy in the diagnostics of MTC combined with Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Tissue Inhibitors of Matrix Metalloproteinases (TIMPs) analysis. The aim of this study was to compare the presence and content of trace elements (i.e., Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), and Manganese (Mn)) in MTC with respect to control samples and their potential relationship with markers of MTC in tissues. The study included 26 patients who had undergone thyroidectomy, due to the diagnosis of MTC and 17 patients as control. We combined tumour pathology and staging, immunohistochemical analysis of calcitonin, MMPs, and TIMPs, with analytical biochemistry using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the levels of trace elements. No differences by MTC type for MMPs and their TIPMs, although strong TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 immunohistochemical expression of MTC were unveiled. Additionally, Zn, Fe, and Mn tended to be decreased, and Cu to be increased in samples presenting MTC with respect to controls. Moreover, Zn was the unique trace element which seemed to be correlated with MMPs and TIMPs. Trace elements such as Zn, Fe, and Mn are decreased in tissues affected by MTC. In addition, Zn may be the trace element which saves more relationship with the proportion and intensity of MMPs, being considered altogether useful biomarkers of MTC. We therefore suggest the analysis of novel and traditional markers of MTC as a novel approach in this pathology.