the effect of resveratrol on expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and its tissue inhibitors in vascular smooth muscle cells

Background:matrix metalloproteinase 9 (mmp-9) is involved in extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling. an increase in mmp-9 expression by vascular component cells plays an important role in atherosclerotic plaque formation and rupture. resveratrol, a polyphenolic substance, was suggested to play a role in preventing the progress of atherosclerotic disease. the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on mmp-9 andtissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (timps) in vascular smooth muscle cells (vsmcs) after treatment with h2o2.methods:cultured vsmcs were pre-treated with 0.2 mm of h2o2before stimulation with different concentration of resveratrol. expression of mmp-9, timp-1, and timp-3 genes were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (pcr) method, and mmp-9 protein level was detected using western blot analysis.results:resveratrol at 120 μmol/l concentration reduced the elevated level of mmp-9 induced by h2o2in vsmcs as 1.85 ± 0.35 folds (p <0.050) and 8.70 ± 1.20 folds (p <0.050) after 24 and 48 hours, respectively. resveratrol increased the diminished level of timp-1 induced by h2o2as 2.5 ± 0.48 folds following the treatment with 120 μmol/l after 48 hours (p <0.050).conclusion:resveratrol as an antioxidant can decrease mmp-9 production, not onlyby suppressing mmp-9 expression, but also by augmenting timp-1 production. altogether, resveratrol as an antioxidant can regulate the mmp-9/timp-1 balance, and may be considered as a preservative agent in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis.