Recent evidence Suggests that high tissue matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP -1) and low adiponectin may serve as biomarkers of atherosclerosis. Results on the associations of circulating MMP-1 and adiponectin concentrations are scarce. We hypothesized that patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) have elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), MMP-1 but low adiponectin levels, and concomitant measurements of these biomarkers Could improve predictive strength for advanced CAD. Research design and methods: We analyzed concentrations of MMP-1, hs -CRP and adiponectin in 217 subjects with angiographically documented multivessel CAD (two-, or three-vessel disease by luminal stenosis >= 50%) and 81 controls. MMP-1 and hs-CRP were notably higher in patients with CAD: while adiponectin was not significantly different between two groups. Levels of hs-CRP positively correlated with body mass index and left ventricular dysfunction (R-2 = 0.16, P