RESEARCH In contrast to matrix meta n t

Full list of author information is available at the end of the articleIntroduction The term matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) refers to a group of enzymes that remodel extracellular matrix in various physiological and pathological conditions, such as neoplasms, inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases [1]. In particular, increased activity of MMPs in blood vessels has been implicated in formation of aneurysms [2], as well as in formation of unstable atherosclerotic plaques, in turn, leading to an increased risk of throm-botic and embolic events, including myocardial infarc-tions and strokes [3-5]. Adiponectin is an abundant plasma protein secreted from adipocytes. It has been thought to be a key mol-ecule in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, which are epidemiological targets * Correspondence: alewin@csk.umed.lodz.pl1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University ofKeywords: Matrix metalloproteinases, Adiponectin, ThyroAbstract Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), together with their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), remodel extracellular matrix under physiological and pathological conditions and are implicated in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and in chronic inflammation. We have endeavoured to assess whether concentrations of MMPs, TIMPs, and anti-inflammatory adiponectin are altered by pharmacological treatment of acute thyrotoxicosis or by radioiodine therapy (RIT). Material and methods: We measured serum concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and adiponectin, TSH, free T4 (FT4) and free T3 (FT3) in 15 patients (4 males), age (years) 51.8±15.3 (mean±SD) with hyperthyroidism treated with thiamazole (Group 1) and in 20 subjects (2 males), treated for thyrotoxicosis with radioiodine, age 52.3±12.4 (Group 2), where blood samples were taken before RIT, visit 1 (V1), seven days post RIT, visit 2 (V2), and two to three months post RIT, visit 3 (V3)