Compared to the sham value, levels of active MMP-9 elevated by 1, 2.2, 4.5, 6.6 and 8.1 folds in 1h, 4h, 12h and 24h I/R and MI groups, respectively, the highest level was detected in MI hearts (Fig 4b,c). This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and myocardial infarction.