Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in diabetic foot syndrome

Abstract

PurposeThe aim was to evaluate tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) concentration using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method (ELISA) in diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) as compared to a group of healthy people and patients with diabetes mellitus without symptomatic vascular complications (DM2T). Material/methodsVenous blood samples were collected from 90 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (30 – DM2T; 60 – DFS). Age-matched controls were also included (n=30). tPA and PAI-1 plasma levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsWe found a significantly lower concentration of tPA:Ag in patients with DFS in comparison to the DM2T group; tPA concentrations were significantly higher in DM2T as compared to the control group. We observed significantly lower concentration of PAI-1:Ag in DF patients treated for hypertension as compared to patients without hypertension. The tPA:Ag and PAI-1:Ag concentration analysis in DFS depending on age, gender and BMI did not show any significant differences. ConclusionsA lower concentration of tPA in patients with DFS may be associated with damage to the endothelial cells, especially in the microvasculature, and the sympathetic nervous system.