Markedly impaired fibrinolytic balance contributes to cardiovascular risk in adults with growth hormone deficiency

Jessica K. Devin*, Lewis S. Blevins, Denise K. Verity, Qingxia Chen, John R. Bloodworth, Joseph Covington, Douglas E. Vaughan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context: Adults with GH deficiency (GHD) have multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including an unfavorable lipid profile and body composition as well as impairments in endothelial function and cardiac performance. We hypothesized that GHD is associated with elevated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the major inhibitor of plasminogen activation in the circulation. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the fibrinolytic profile of adults with GHD in comparison with controls. Study Design and Participants: This was a prospective, observational study including 12 adults with GHD. Twelve gender-, age-, and body mass index-matched adults served as controls. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures were circadian plasma PAI-1 antigen with corresponding tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) activity values. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation and fibrinolytic potential by venous occlusion test. Results: Adults with GHD exhibited an unfavorable 24-h fibrinolytic profile characterized by a mean 62% elevation in PAI-1 antigen (2.77 ng/ml after adjustment for baseline PAI-1; P = 0.049) in the setting of a mean 24% reduction in tPA activity (-0.17 IU/ml after adjustment for baseline tPA; P = 0.003). Fibrinolytic response was defective in GHD, as demonstrated by a sustained elevation in PAI-1 activity greater than 4 IU/ml after venous occlusion [7.2 IU/ml (interquartile range 0.8 -17.4); P = 0.018]. Endothelial function was impaired in GHD, as quantified by percent flow-mediated vasodilation over 120 sec [area under the curve 3.8 (interquartile range -2.4 to 7.9) vs. 12.8 (interquartile range 2.1-19.4); P = 0.043]. Conclusions: Adults with GHD demonstrate alterations in plasma fibrinolytic balance, including elevated levels of PAI-1 antigen with decreased tPA activity. These changes may contribute to the increased cardiovascular morbidity within this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3633-3639
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Volume92
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2007

Funding

This work was supported by Grant MO1 RR-00095 (National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health), the Specialized Centers of Clinically Oriented Research (SCCOR) in Hemostatic and Thrombotic Disease P50HL081009 (to D.E.V.), the National Institutes of Health-funded Vanderbilt Mentored Clinical Research Scholars Program 5K12RR017697 (to J.K.D.), and an investigator-initiated independent research grant from Pfizer Pharmaceutical (to J.K.D.).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, medical
  • Endocrinology
  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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