Biomedicine

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Hypertension (HTN) is a public health issue frequently linked with obesity. Both are connected with blood vessel remodelling, oxidative stress, and the imbalance of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitor (TIMPs). The present study aims to explore the relationship between the markers of oxidative stress and biomarkers of extracellular matrix remodelling, MMP-9 and TIMP-1, in obese and non-obese patients with and without hypertension. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted in 106 subjects classified into four groups: obese hypertensive (OHTN), non-obese hypertensive (NOHTN), obese controls (OC), and non-obese controls (NOC). Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, markers of oxidative stress Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced Glutathione (GSH), Nitric oxide (NO) and serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were measured. ELISA and standardised biochemical assays were employed. MMP-9 and oxidative markers correlations were statistically compared. Results: OHTN patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and MDA, but decreased levels of GSH and NO compared with the control group (p < 0.001). The MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was significantly increased in the OHTN group, representing extracellular matrix remodelling. In addition, MMP-9 levels were significantly correlated with MDA (r = 0.56) and inversely correlated with NO (r = - 0.42) and GSH (r = -0.49), reflecting a close correlation between oxidative stress and hypertension-related vascular remodelling. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate the crucial involvement of oxidative and nitrosative stress in the vascular system dysfunction and extracellular matrix remodelling in hypertensive patients, especially in obese patients. Increased MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels, as well as markers of oxidative stress, could represent potential biomarkers of early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Therapies targeting oxidative stress and the MMP/TIMP pathway could open new therapeutic perspectives.