Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), beta-chemokines, increased oxidative stress (SOX) and inflammation have been implicated as important factors in atherosclerosis and vascular remodeling. We hypothesized the possible roles of beta-chemokines [monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta) and regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)] as regulators of the metabolism of the vascular extracellular matrix in conditions of increased SOX in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We compared pre-dialysis levels of MMP-9/TIMP-1 system, beta-chemokines, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) as a marker of SOX and C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of inflammation in HD patients with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD) to those of controls. HD patients, particularly those with CVD, showed a significant increase in values of Cu/Zn SOD, CRP, TIMP-1, TIMP-1/MMP-9 ratio, MCP-1 and MIP-1beta, whereas RANTES levels were lower than in the controls. The levels of MIP-1alpha as well as MMP-9 in all HD groups were similar to the controls. The positive correlations were observed between the MMP-9/TIMP-1 system and beta-chemokines, SOX and inflammation in whole HD group and in the subgroup with CVD. Multivariate analysis showed that the duration of dialysis followed by Cu/Zn SOD, MIP-1alpha and beta levels were the significant positive predictors of TIMP-1. In conclusion, our data show that MMP-9/TIMP-1 system and beta-chemokines could cooperate in conditions of elevated SOX, which ultimately predisposes hemodialysis patients to accelerated atherosclerosis.