Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in an Exploratory Trial of Intravenous Minocycline for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose-Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels predict posttissue plasminogen activator (tPA) hemorrhage. Methods-The authors investigated the effect of minocycline on plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 in acute ischemic stroke in the Minocycline to Improve Neurological Outcome in Stroke (MINOS) trial and a comparison group. Results-Matrix metalloproteinase-9 level decreased at 72 hours compared with baseline in MINOS (tPA, P=0.0022; non-tPA, P = 0.0066) and was lower than in the non-MINOS comparison group at 24 hours (tPA, P < 0.0001; non-tPA, P = 0.0019). Conclusions-Lower plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 was seen among tPA-treated subjects in the MINOS trial. Combining minocycline with tPA may prevent the adverse consequences of thrombolytic therapy through suppression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity. (Stroke. 2011;42:2633-2635.)