Pre-Season Profile of Matrix Metalloproteinases, Tissue Inhibitors, and Related Inflammatory and Hormonal Factors in Youth Athletes

Description

NTRODUCTION: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) regulate extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling and tissue repair. Their balance reflects adaptation and recovery in athletes. While MMP/TIMP responses to exercise have been studied in adults, baseline data in youth athletes are limited. Assessing this balance with hormonal and inflammatory markers may reveal early adaptation indicators.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fasting preseason blood samples were collected from 131 youth athletes (88 males, 43 females; 15.2 ± 1.8 y). Serum IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen were analysed by clinical laboratory, while MMP-1, -2, -9, -10 and TIMP-1, -2, -3 were quantified using a multiplex immunoassay. Descriptive statistics, correlations and multiple regression identified predictors of the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio (p < 0.05).

RESULTS: MMP-9 correlated positively with TIMP-1; -2 and -3. (r = 0.27–0.40, p < 0.001). Estrogen showed positive correlations with MMP-9 (r = 0.28) and TIMP-1 (r = 0.27), but a negative one with MMP-2 (r = −0.21, p < 0.05). CRP correlated negatively with TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 (r = −0.21 to −0.22, p < 0.05) and positively with MMP-9/TIMP-1 (r = 0.26, p < 0.01). Age was a predictor for lower (β = −0.35, p < 0.001) while BMI for slightly increased (β = 0.21, p = 0.04; R² = 0.085) MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios.

CONCLUSION: At preseason baseline, youth athletes showed coordinated MMP–TIMP relationships consistent with physiological matrix regulation and low inflammatory activity. Estrogen and CRP showed trends of association with matrix turnover markers, while age and BMI related to remodeling intensity. Morning fasting samples suggest that results reflect resting physiological rather than acute stress conditions.

Period	30 Jan 2026
Event title	Scandinavian Sports Medicine Congress 2026
Event type	Congress
Location	Copenhagen, DenmarkShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International