Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in adults with Down syndrome and protection against macrovascular disease

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W E Hopkins1, N K Fukagawa, B E Sobel

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, 05401, USA. william.hopkins@vtmednet.org

The American Journal of Cardiology
|May 10, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Adults with Down syndrome exhibit lower levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). This reduction may protect against atherosclerotic vascular disease and related complications like heart attacks.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Down syndrome is associated with an increased risk of certain health issues, but paradoxically, a lower incidence of atherosclerotic vascular disease.
  • Plaque instability is a key factor in cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and unstable angina.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in adults with Down syndrome compared to controls.
  • To explore the potential role of PAI-1 in the reduced incidence of atherosclerotic vascular disease in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Blood samples were collected from adults with Down syndrome and age-, gender-, and body mass-matched control subjects.
  • Levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were measured in the blood of all participants.

Main Results:

  • Adults with Down syndrome demonstrated significantly reduced levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in their blood compared to control subjects.
  • This finding was consistent across participants matched for key demographic and physiological factors.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced circulating plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) may be a contributing factor to the lower occurrence of atherosclerotic vascular disease in individuals with Down syndrome.
  • The findings suggest a potential protective mechanism against cardiovascular complications in Down syndrome, despite increasing life expectancy.

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