BackgroundIschemic stroke (IS) is a complex neurological disease affected by genetics and environment. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) is involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, inflammation and angiogenesis to regulate the development and recovery of IS.PurposesThe aim of this study was to explore the association of rs1053605, rs243849 and rs14070 in MMP2 with the risk of IS in Chinese Shaanxi population.MethodsIn this study, 677 IS patients and 681 normal controls were recruited. Rs1053605, rs243849 and rs14070 in MMP2 were genotyped. Logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate the association of rs1053605, rs243849 and rs14070 in MMP2 with IS susceptibility and the association of environmental factors with MMP2 genetic susceptibility to IS.ResultsThe results of the overall analysis demonstrated that rs14070 in MMP2 significantly reduced the risk of IS in Chinese Shaanxi population (OR = 0.767, 95% CI = 0.619–0.952, P = 0.016). Subgroup analysis illustrated that rs243849 in MMP2 evidently increased the risk of IS among drinkers, while rs14070 in MMP2 apparently reduced IS susceptibility among females, participants with aged >55, smokers and drinkers.ConclusionsCollectively, rs243849 and rs14070 in MMP2 were significantly associated with the risk of IS in Chinese Shaanxi population, and the effect of MMP2 to IS may be associated with its genetic susceptibility.

Background and purposeDistinguishing between intracranial atherosclerosis-related occlusion (ICAS-O) and non-ICAS-O can benefit strategies of identifying the need for surgical plans prior to thrombectomy. We investigated the association between vertebrobasilar artery calcification (VBAC) and ICAS-O in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing thrombectomy.MethodsPatients were recruited from a prospective single-center registration study who had undergone thrombectomy between October 2017 and October 2021. The enrolled patients were divided into ICAS-O and non-ICAS-O, as determined by the intraarterial therapy process. The occurrences of VBAC were recorded on intracranial non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) scans before thrombectomy. The association between VBAC and ICAS-O was assessed using binary logistic regression.ResultsA total of 2732 patients who had undergone digital subtraction angiography were reviewed, and 314 thrombectomy patients (mean age: 65.4 years, 36.6% female) with NCCT were enrolled in this study. VBAC was detected before thrombectomy in 113 (36%) out of 314 patients. Age, hypertension, and diabetes were associated with VBAC, and a higher frequency of VBAC was identified in patients presenting posterior circulation. ICAS-O accounts for 43% (135/314) in eligible patients. From multivariable analyses, VBAC was identified as an independent predictor of ICAS-O (adjusted odds ratio, 6.16 [95% CI, 2.673–14.217], P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the (VBAC[+] atrial fibrillation[-]) group displayed higher rates of ICAS-O than the (VBAC[-] atrial fibrillation [-]) group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe demonstrated that VBAC is an independent risk factor for ICAS-O in patients who underwent thrombectomy. Patients free of atrial fibrillation with VBAC have more trend to be ICAS-O.

Background Ischemic stroke (IS) was a multifactorial disease, which was the main cause of death and adult disability. Genetic factors cannot be ignored. Objective The present study discussed the relationship between MMP17 variants and the susceptibility of IS. Methods Based on the Agena MassARRAY platform, we genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the MMP17 gene in 1345 participants (670 controls and 675 cases). We used logistic regression analysis to analyze the association of MMP17 SNPs with the risk of IS in the Chinese population, with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). False-positive report probability (FPRP) detected false positives on the significant results. Besides, we detected the SNP–SNP interaction to predict IS risk by multi-factor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis. Results In the total analysis, MMP17 rs7975920 conferred an increased susceptibility to IS. After a stratified analysis by age and gender, the significant association between rs7975920 and IS risk was displayed in the subjects aged >55 years old and females. After stratified analysis by smoking and drinking, MMP17 rs6598163 was related to the risk of IS in smokers and rs7975920 was associated with the risk of IS in smokers and was in correlation with IS risk in drinkers. Conclusion In short, we first observed that MMP17 rs7975920 and rs6598163 were related to the risk of IS. The above results provided a theoretical basis for the elaboration of the role of MMP17 in IS in the Chinese population.