MMP2 and coronary artery disorder: Additionally, MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 levels tend to be higher in obese subjects with BMI over 24, although there was a controversy among researchers.37,38 The present study revealed that in CAD patients, there was an inverse significant association between BMI with PBMC TIMP-1 gene expression and MMP-9 levels (all P < 0.05).