Abstract: Objective   To investigate the correlation between serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2),  matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor 2 (TIMP2),  homocysteine (Hcy),  uric acid (UA) and carotid intimamedia thickness (cIMT) in patients with hypertension.Methods  Doppler ultrasound was used to detect cIMT in 364 patients with hypertension. According to whether cIMT ≥1 mm, the patients were divided into cIMT thickening group and cIMT nonthickening group. The serum MMP2 and TIMP2 were measured by enzymelinked immunoassay,  and the serum Hcy,  UA and lipid levels were determined by laboratory at the same time. The independent risk factors for carotid intima thickening were analyzed. Results  Compared with cIMT nonthickening group,  the age, Hcy, UA and MMP2 increased in cIMT thickening group(P<0.05). Age was an independent risk factor for carotid intima thickening. Conclusion  Age is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. MMP2,  Hcy,  TC,  LDLC and UA are associated with atherosclerosis,  but they can  not be identified as independent damage factors for atherosclerosis at present.

Key words: hypertension, carotid intima thickness；matrix metalloproteinase