Simvastatin could prevent increase of the serum MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in acute ischaemic stroke.

MMP-9 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AIS and predicts haemorrhagic transformation of the ischaemic focus. The aim of our study was to analyse both serum MMP-9 and its most specific endogenous inhibitor (TIMP-1) levels in AIS and to check whether HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (simvastatin) affects the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio value. Fifty patients with AIS were randomly divided into two groups: Group I (N = 25) treated with 40 mg/day with simvastatin within 24 hours after the onset of stroke and Group II (N = 25) non-treated with statin. To evaluate MMP-9 and TIMP-1 serum levels, the ELISA method was used. The serum MMP-9 level was significantly elevated on the 7th day of stroke in both groups (from 668 to 862 ng/ml and 670 to 855 ng/ml, respectively, in Group I and II). The serum TIMP-1 level was also elevated on the 7th day of stroke in both groups but the results were not significant. The MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was elevated on the 7th day of stroke in both groups, but the result was significant only in the Group II (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that simvastatin given during 24 hours after the onset of stroke could have an influence on the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio during AIS.