Obesity as a leading preventable cause of death worldwide is closely linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, a potent inhibitor of plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis, is increased in many clinical situations associated with high incidence of CVD. In the obesity-linked elevation of PAI-1, evidence points to TNF-α as an important regulator of PAI-1 expression in adipose tissue.
Background: This study aims to evaluate mediastinal PAI-1 and TNF-α mRNA levels in adipose tissues (AT) and compare serum levels in obesity with and without coronary artery disease (CAD).
Patients and methods: Obese patients with (n=37) and without CAD (n=20) were included in the study.
Results: The serum levels of PAI-1 and TNF-α were significantly higher in obese patients with CAD compared to obese patients without CAD. PAI-1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in mediastinal adipose tissue (MAT) of obese patients with CAD compared to those without CAD, TNF-α mRNA expressions were found to be higher in EAT (epicardial AT), MAT and SAT (subcutaneous AT) of obese patients with CAD.
Conclusions: The study demonstrated a close direct relationship between TNF-α and PAI-1. PAI-1 mRNA expression strongly correlated positively with serum TNF-α in MAT, and TNF-α expressions with PAI-1 serum levels.
Keywords: PAI-1; TNF-α; adipose tissue; cardiovascular disease.