Alejandro Ferraz do Prado
◽
Cahy Manoel Bannwart
◽
Victoria Mae Tsuruzaki Shinkai
◽
Ildercílio Mota de Souza Lima
◽
César Arruda Meschiari
:
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that present a metallic element
in their structure. These enzymes are ubiquitously distributed and function as
extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelers. MMPs play a broad role in cardiovascular
biology regulating processes such as cell adhesion and function, cellular
communication and differentiation, integration of mechanical force and force
transmission, tissue remodeling, modulation of damaged-tissue structural integrity,
cellular survival or apoptosis and regulation of inflammation-related cytokines and
growth factors. MMPs inhibition and downregulation is correlated with minimization of
cardiac damage, i.e., Chinese herbal medicine has shown to stabilize abdominal aorta
aneurysm due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and MMP-2 and 9 inhibitory
properties. Thus phyto-derived products rise as promising sources for novel therapies
focusing on MMPs inhibition and downregulation to treat or prevent cardiovascular
disorders.