The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Ischemic White Matter Injury and the Research Progress of Drug Intervention

WANG Zechao^1,2, LIU Xiaoliang³, WANG Shenzhan³, HE Zhi⁴, ZHANG Xiangnan³*

(¹Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443000, China; ²School of Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443000, China; ³School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China; ⁴School of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314000, China)

Abstract:

WMI (white matter injury) refers to the damage to the structure or function of the brain’s white matter region, which is a common pathological phenomenon in cerebrovascular diseases, significantly affecting the cognitive functions and quality of life in the elderly. In recent years, the role of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) in WMI has drawn widespread attention. MMPs, as a class of enzymes that catalyze protein hydrolysis, are involved in the degradation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix and play a crucial role in ischemic injury. This article reviews the specific mechanisms of MMPs in WMI and their association with pathological processes, while also summarizing the regulatory effects of existing drugs on MMPs. It aims to lay a new theoretical foundation for the prevention and treatment of WMI and facilitate the search for more effective therapeutic targets.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2025.05.0022