Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor and prothrombin fragment 1+2 in type II diabetics: possible relation to albuminuria and macrovascular complications

ABSTRACT

Forty type II diabetic patients [diabetic group] and 40 healthy age- and sex-matched persons [control group] were enrolled. The study involved assessment of body mass index [MBI], glycemic state [fasting and postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin [HbAlc]], low- density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL], albuminuria by urinary albumin excretion rate [UAE], plasma PF 1+2 and TAFI, also, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] for TAFI mRNA in adipocytes and cell cultures. Plasma PF 1+2 and TAFI showed significant positive correlations with CVD risk factors including BMI, LDL and albuminuria. Also, they showed significant positive correlation with history of arterial and venous [only for TAFI] CVD. Mean values for these markers were statistically higher in the diabetic group compared to the control group. Furthermore, their values were statistically higher in patients with history of CVD compared to those without prior history. In conclusion, plasma PF 1+2 and TAFI reflected a prothrombotic and hypofibrinolysis state that may explain the increased CVD among diabetics. TAFI gene expression in adipocytes would explain the increased risk of CVD among obese diabetics