Plasma levels of MMP-7 in patients with carotid plaques in relation to symptomatology.

<p>The figure shows plasma levels of MMP-7 in patients with carotid atherosclerosis (n = 182) divided into (i) patients with the most recent symptoms (within the last 2 months, n = 73) and (ii) patients with symptoms >2 months ago and asymptomatic patients (>2 months, n = 109). For comparison, MMP-7 levels were also analyzed in 23 healthy controls (CTR). Data are shown as a box and whisker plot with median (Q1, Q3) in the box and the whiskers representing the 5 and 95 percentiles. Note that both groups of patients have significantly raised MMP-7 levels as compared with controls.