# Comparative Analysis of Blood MMP-9 Concentration in Alcohol- and Opioid-Addicted Patients

## TL;DR

This study compares blood MMP-9 levels in patients addicted to alcohol and opioids, finding that MMP-9 may serve as a biomarker for addiction stages.

## Contribution

The study identifies distinct patterns of MMP-9 levels during intoxication and withdrawal in alcohol and opioid addiction.

## Key findings

- MMP-9 levels are higher in addicted patients during intoxication compared to healthy controls.
- MMP-9 levels return to normal after alcohol withdrawal but remain elevated during opioid withdrawal.
- MMP-9 levels are consistently high across different opioid intoxication and withdrawal states.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: In brain physiology and disease, MMP-9 is a significant and apparently peculiar factor. Numerous studies have implicated neuroinflammatory processes involving MMP-9 in the pathophysiology of addiction. This study aims to evaluate plasma MMP-9 level as a biomarker for the stages of alcohol and opioid addiction. Methods: The case subjects were patients with opioid and alcohol addiction. The quantitative assessment of MMP-9 plasma concentration was performed using monoclonal antibodies against human MMP-9. Results: MMP-9 levels in the plasma of patients with alcohol and opioid dependence differ from MMP-9 concentrations in apparently healthy donors. During the intoxication stage, MMP-9 concentrations in individuals with alcohol and opioid dependence are similar and higher than in the control group. While the MMP-9 level is close to the control level after alcohol withdrawal, it stays increased during opioid withdrawal. When MMP-9 levels in plasma were measured in three distinct intoxicated states (light, moderate, and heavy) in cases of alcohol addiction, the results were all similar. Two distinct opioid intoxicated states (methadone and buprenorphine) and three withdrawals—following methadone, buprenorphine, and heroin abuse—were associated with high MMP-9 levels.