Investigating the Role of MMP-1 (-519A/G, -1607 1G/2G), MMP-3 (Lys45Glu), MMP-7 (-181A/G), and MMP-12 (-82A/G) Variants and Plasma MMP Levels on Obesity and Microvascular Reactivity

The study aims to investigate the impact of MMP-1 (-519A/G, -1607 1G/2G), MMP-3 Lys45Glu (A/G), MMP-7 -181A/G, and MMP-12 -82A/G variants and plasma MMP levels on obesity and microvascular reactivity in Tunisians. The study showed that MMP-3 45Glu(G) allele associates with higher anthropometric values and MMP-3 levels compared to AA genotype carriers (BMI (kg/m2): 30 ± 0.51 versus 27.33 ± 0.8, P =0 004; MMP-3 levels: 7.45 (4.77–11.91) versus 5.21 (3.60–10.21) ng/ml, P =0 006). The MMP- 12 -82G allele was also associated with higher BMI values when compared to subjects carrying the AA genotype (31.41 ± 0.85 versus 28.76 ± 0.43, P <0 001). Similar manner, the MMP-7 -181G allele was related to higher MMP-7 levels and an elevated chance of morbid obesity when compared to AA genotype carriers (0.32 (0.31–0.60) versus 0.18 (0.17–0.24) ng/ml, P =0 01; OR = 1.67, P =0 02, resp.). The current findings highlight a significant correlation between the MMP-3Lys45Glu (A/G) and MMP-7 (-181A/G) variants and severe forms of obesity among Tunisians. It is concluded that MMP-3, MMP-7, and MMP-12 polymorphisms associate with obesity risk and its severity.