RELATIONSHIP OF PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR ACTIVITY AND TISSUE-TYPE PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR CONCENTRATION WITH AGE, SEX, RISK-FACTORS FOR CORONARY HEART-DISEASE AND LIFE-STYLE

The relationship between PAI activity and t-PA antigen concentration and their dependence on age, sex, body mass index, lipoprotein metabolism parameters and life style was studied in a subpopulation of the DRECAN Study. PAI activity and t-PA concentration showed a similar dependence on age and sex. The ratio PAI activity/t-PA concentration correlated much better with PAI activity than with t-PA concentration. PAT activity and t-PA concentration were equally strong correlated with body mass index and triglyceride concentration. Both fibrinolytic variables showed no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers. PAT activity as well as t-PA concentration were lower in users of oral contraceptives than in non-users. This result was independent of the relationship between BMI as well as triglyceride concentration on PAI activity and t-PA concentration and not the only responsible factor for the higher PAI and t-PA values in men compared to women. The amount of alcohol and beer per day was a significantly influential factor on PAI activity in men. The high PAI activity in middle-aged men is possibly connected with the described higher prevalence of elevated PAI activity in young postinfarction patients compared with unselected patients.