Detection of Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-9
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an important diagnostic biomarker
in aortic pathophysiology, and MMP-9 can weaken the aortic media by
degrading multiple extracellular components; DM patients have a 2-fold
decreased level of MMP-9, which can restrict degradation of the aortic
wall [16] . Plasma MMP-9 was measured by using an
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The MMP-9 level was measured
on admission, at day 14 (after the acute phase) and day 90 (after the
subacute phase), at 6 and 12 months and then annually during follow-up.