PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism and plasma levels association in patients with coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) 4G/5G polymorphism may influence the PAI-1 expression. High plasma levels of PAI-1 are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD).


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the influence of PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism on plasma PAI-1 levels and its association with CAD assessed by coronary angiography.


METHODS
Blood sample of 35 individuals with angiographically normal coronary arteries, 31 individuals presenting mild/moderate atheromatosis, 57 individuals presenting severe atheromatosis and 38 healthy individuals (controls) were evaluated. In patients and controls, the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism was determined by PCR amplification using allele-specific primers. Plasma PAI-1 levels were quantified by ELISA assay (American Diagnostica).


RESULTS
No difference was found between groups regarding age, gender and body mass index. Plasma PAI-1 levels and 4G/4G genotype frequency were significantly higher in the severe atheromatosis group compared to the other groups (p<0.001). Furthermore, patients with 4G/4G genotype (r=0.28, p<0.001) had significantly higher plasma PAI-1 levels than those with 5G/5G genotype (r=0.02, p=0.4511). In addition, in a multiple logistic regression model, adjusted for all the other variables, PAI-1 was observed to be independently associated with CAD > 70% (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The most important finding of this study was the association between 4G/4G genotype, high plasma PAI-1 levels and coronary stenosis higher than 70% in Brazilian individuals. Whether high plasma PAI-1 levels are a decisive factor for atherosclerosis worsening or it is a consequence remains to be established.
Departamento de Medicina e Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil. lucianamoreiralima@yahoo.com.br
Luciana Moreira
LM
Lima
Maria das Graças
Md
Carvalho
Cirilo Pereira
CP
Fonseca Neto
José Carlos Faria
JC
Garcia
Marinez Oliveira
MO
Sousa
D000328:Adult; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values
D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1