Effects Of Soybean Extracts On The Protein Expressions Of MMP-9 And TIMP-1 In Atherosclerotic Plaques Of Rabbits

Objective: To investigate the effects of Soybean Extracts administration on the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-l(TIMP-l)in atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits.Methods: 40 cases of paraffin-embedded tissue of atherosclerotic carotid arteries of rabbits,prepared by our research team members in previous experiment,were divided into5 groups including the control(n=8),model(n=8),as well as low(n=8),medium(n=8),and high-dose(n=8)groups of Soybean Extracts,the protein expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-l were detected by immunohisto-chemical assay.Results: The protein expression levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were increased significantly and the ratios of TIMP-1/MMP-9 were decreased in the model group compared with the control group(p<0.05);While compared with the model group,the protein expression levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were decreased gradually and the ratios of TIMP-1/MMP-9 were increased in the low,medium,and high-dose groups(p<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed the negative-correlationship between the dosages of Soybean Extracts and the protein expression levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in carotid atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits and the positive-correlationship between the dosages of Soybean Extracts and the ratios of TIMP-1/MMP-9.And the correlation coefficients(r)were equal to-0.720,-0.831,and 0.870(p<0.05),respectively.Conclusion: Soybean Extracts decrease the protein expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1and increase the ratios of TIMP-1/MMP-9 in carotid plaques of atherosclerotic rabbits that were caused by hyperhomocysteinemia(HHcy).And there were dosage-effect relationships between Soybean Extracts and the protein expression levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 as well as the ratios of TIMP-1/MMP-9 in carotid plaques of atherosclerotic rabbits that were caused by HHcy.