The plasminogen activator system in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the plasminogen activator system in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
A district general hospital in the United Kingdom.


METHODS
Eleven women with PCOS and 12 controls.


METHODS
Venipunctures for assays of the plasminogen activator system.


METHODS
Euglobulin clot lysis times, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) activity, fibrinogen, plasminogen, and alpha-2 antiplasmin concentrations in plasma.


RESULTS
Women with PCOS may had a significantly longer euglobulin clot lysis time (mean +/- SD, 389 +/- 164 minutes vs. 220 +/- 110 minutes), a higher PAI-1 activity (mean +/- SD, 19.7 +/- 12 arbitrary units (AU) per mL vs. 10.9 +/- 7.9 AU/mL), and a higher fibrinogen level (mean +/- SD, 4.02 +/- 0.64 g/L vs. 3.15 +/- 0.6 g/L) compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with the PCOS may have an imbalance in the plasminogen activator system that is tilted toward a reduced production of the proteolytic enzyme plasmin. Systemically, this may increase their risk of cardiovascular disease, but at cellular level in the ovaries, it may result in impaired follicular rupture and anovulation.
Atiomo
W U
WU
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
Bates
S A
SA
Condon
J E
JE
Shaw
S
S
West
J H
JH
Prentice
A G
AG
D000328:Adult; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D018962:Phlebotomy; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000032:analysis; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000032:analysis; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000032:analysis; D000979:alpha-2-Antiplasmin / Q000032:analysis
D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D006728:Hormones; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D000979:alpha-2-Antiplasmin; D005340:Fibrinogen; D010958:Plasminogen; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator