A multicenter research performed in patients with intracranial hemorrhage shows that high levels of a molecule, called TIMP-1, worsen the prognosis of patients. The study, coordinated by the Cima University of Navarra, was carried out at partnership with the Navarra Hospital Complex and the Vall d'Hebron Hospital (Barcelona).

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is caused by the rupture of a blood vessel within the brain. It is the second most common stroke subject after ischemic stroke and carries the highest 30-day mortality rate (50%). Each year worldwide almost 2 million people suffer ICH but, so far, no specific pharmacological treatments have been developed that have demonstrated a clear clinical benefit for patients.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteins that, among other functions, participate in tissue regeneration. The activity of MMPs is regulated by their inhibitors (TIMPs). According to Dr. Josune Orbe, researcher in the Cardiovascular Diseases Program at Cima, of the CIBERCV and director of work, "in general, levels of MMPs and TIMPs are elevated in patients with ICH. It is believed that they may be involved both in the early phase of brain injury and in the tissue recovery and evolution of patients after ICH. However, their clinical potential has not yet been fully defined."

Biomarker for intracranial hemorrhage

The study coordinated by group of Cima has measured the blood levels of several MMPs and TIMP-1 and their relationship with the volume and location of the hematoma in 105 patients from the Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra and the Hospital Vall d'Hebrón (Barcelona). It has also analyzed clinical, radiological and functional variables. "Our work confirms that circulating levels of TIMP-1 on admission are associated with increased hematoma volume. These data suggest its possible use as a biomarker for ICH," notes Dr. Orbe. The results have been published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports.

Furthermore, programs of study in experimental models of hemorrhage indicate that the increase in TIMP-1 occurs as a response of the organism to counteract the increase in MMPs, and restore the MMP/TIMP balance in ICH.

The study of Cima and CHN has been developed in the framework of the high school of research Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA).

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  Circulating TIMP-1 is associated with hematoma volume in patients with spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage.
  Sci Rep 2020 Jun 25;10(1):10329. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-67250-9.