Objectives: To examine whether a linear relationship exists between the volume of plasma loaded in each gel lane and the gelatinolytic activities of plasma matrix metalloproteinase (pMMP)-2 and pMMP-9, and the influences of plasma storage temperature, fasting, and a variable number of repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Design and methods: Plasma from venous blood collected into EDTA tubes was stored for 1 month at -20 degrees C or at -70 degrees C until assayed for gelatin zymography of pMMP-2 and pMMP-9. The effects of food intake, repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and the gelatinolytic activity produced by serial dilutions of plasma were examined.
Results: Storage temperature, fasting, and up to five repeated freeze-thaw cycles had no effect on the activities of pMMPs (all P < 0.05). A linear relationship was found with plasma volumes below 0.75 microL/lane for MMP-2, and from 0.75 microL/lane to 2 microL/lane for MMP-9.
Conclusions: Different volumes of plasma should be studied when pMMP-2 and pMMP-9 activities are studied. Storage temperature, repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and food intake do not affect the activities of pMMPs.