Objective: Obesity is a metabolic disorder that is associated with increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) concentration in the circulation. This increase is related to insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular disease. Some studies have demonstrated a relationship between plasma PAI-1 concentrations and the 4G/5G gene polymorphism in the PAI-1 gene, while other studies have not. It is well known that plasma PAI-1 levels are increased in obesity; however, the relationship between the polymorphism and obesity remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effect of the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism on glucose and lipid metabolism parameters in Turkish obese children.
Design and patients: Ninety children with obesity (37 male, 53 female; mean age 11.1 +/- 3.4 years; range 5.8-17.6 years) were included in the study. The children were divided into three groups according to the PAI-1 promoter 4G/5G polymorphism (4G/4G, 4G/5G and 5G/5G). These groups were compared for age, body mass index (BMI), serum glucose, lipid and insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score.
Results: The genotype distribution was 52% (47/90) 4G/4G, 25% (22/90) 4G/5G and 23% (21/90) 5G/5G. No statistically significant differences among genotype groups were found with respect to age, BMI, serum levels of glucose, lipid and insulin, and HOMA-IR score.
Conclusion: Although the frequency of the 4G/4G genotype was higher in subjects in the current study than in subjects reported in the literature, in our study group we observed no influence of the PAI-1 4G/4G polymorphism on lipid and glucose metabolism.