In addition to their crucial roles in pregnancy, elevated serum MMP-8 concentrations have been linked with obesity [8] and with an increased risk for cardiovascular disesases [9], while a lower level of IGFBP-1 has been associated with obesity [10] and with an increased risk for disturbances in glucose metabolism [11]. The gene discussed is MMP8; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.