Age-related changes in the basal level of tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1

Abstract

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) were determined in resting plasma of 91 healthy women and 100 healthy men, 19 to 80 years old. It was observed that t-PA antigen steadily increased with age, being at 71–80 years (93 ng/ml) about three fold higher than at 19—30 years (3.8 ng/ml, p < 0.001). In all decades of their lifetime women had on average 27% lower t-PA antigen than men. PAI-1 antigen also increased with age (p < 0.002): the peak value was observed in the age group 51–60 years (58% increase compared to 19–30 years). No significant age-related changes in t-PA and PAI activity were observed. In multiple regression analysis t-PA antigen was independently related to age, while PAI-1 antigen only retained a significant association with plasma insulin.