Lower serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinase‐3 in the acute stage of myocardial infarction

. Objectives. The importance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the progression and rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque is gaining increasing recognition but the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of MMP‐3 in the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) and the influence of the −1612 5A/6A MMP‐3 gene promoter polymorphism on serum MMP‐3 concentration. Subjects. One‐hundred and sixty‐four patients admitted with ST‐elevation MI and receiving thrombolysis treatment were included in this study. Serum MMP‐3 was analysed at admission, after 48 h and at 3 months. Results. Serum MMP‐3 concentration was significantly increased at 3 months when compared with admission and 48 h (19.5 ng mL−1 [14.4–24.7] vs. 15.5 ng mL−1 [10.5–21.8] at admission, P