A) Levels of Plasma Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in the Two Groups
Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique, designed by R&D Systems (Minneapolis, MN, USA), according to the manufacturer’s instructions and protocols. The levels of MMP-9 were measured at day 14 (after the acute phase), at day 90 (after the subacute phase), at 6 and 12 months and then annually during the follow-up. In the DM group, although the MMP-9 level of DM group reached the highest level (day 14) early than that in the non-DM group (day 90), the MMP-9 levels of DM group were lower than non-DM group at each timepoint (P< 0. 001,Figure 2A ), and non-DM group had a 2-fold higher level of MMP-9 after the day 90