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Mary-Lou van Goor, Encarna Gmez Garca, Frank Leebeek, Geert-Jan Brouwers, Peter Koudstaal, Diederik Dippel
The plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) 4G/5G promoter polymorphism and PAI-1 levels in ischemic stroke. A case-control study
High levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) have been implicated as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but its precise role remains controversial. The 4G allele of the PAI-1 4G/5G promoter polymorphism is associated with higher levels of PAI-1. We studied the relationship between ischemic stroke and the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism and PAI-1 antigen levels. We performed a case-control study among patients aged 1875 years with first ischemic stroke, confirmed by CT. All patients were screened for cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac disorders and large vessel disease. We excluded patients with a definite non-atherosclerotic cause of the stroke and patients using oral anticoagulants. Population-controls were age -and sex-matched, without a history of stroke, and of the Caucasian race. Venous blood samples were taken for PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism and PAI-1 level one week after stroke. We included 124 patients and 125 controls. Mean age was 56 yrs (range 18 to 75 yrs). Sixty one patients (50%) and 58 (47%) controls were heterozygous for the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism. The homozygous 4G/4G genotype was found in 33 patients (27%) and in 36 controls (29%). The odds ratio of ischemic stroke associated with 4G-carriers versus 5G/5G homozygotes was 1.0 (95% CI: 0.61.8). The relative risk of ischemic stroke associated with the level of PAI-1 in the upper quartile was 0.73 (95%CI: 0.4 to 1.4). Neither the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism nor the PAI-1 antigen level is a strong risk factor for ischemic stroke.
Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Schattauer
Print ISSN: 0340-6245
Volume: 93, 01/2005
Pages: 92 - 96