Overweight/obesity, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption are important determinants of plasma PAI-1 levels in healthy men.
BACKGROUND
Plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is a predictor of ischemic heart disease.


METHODS
We investigated the effects of overweight/obesity and lifestyle (smoking and alcohol intake) on plasma PAI-1 levels in 203 healthy men (age 44.5+/-8.1) who visited our department for health check. Information on alcohol intake and smoking habit was obtained by a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Plasma PAI-1 was significantly correlated to plasma leptin, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, plasma levels of triglyceride, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Plasma PAI-1 was also increased significantly in smokers and in heavy drinkers. Plasma PAI-1 levels increased in an additive manner by the combination of risk factors (BMI > or =25 kg/m2, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption). Nonobese, nonsmoking, nondrinkers showed the lowest plasma PAI-1 levels, whereas overweight/obese, smoking, heavy drinkers showed the highest levels (11.2+/-2.2 ng/mL versus. 34.0+/-4.3 ng/mL, P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that overweight/obesity and unfavorable lifestyle such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption may increase plasma PAI-1 levels and might be linked to the risk of ischemic heart disease.
Sasaki
A
A
Department of Preventive Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. mdew@pop02.odn.ne.jp
Kurisu
A
A
Ohno
M
M
Ikeda
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood*
D020738:Leptin; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1