Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity and retinal vascular calibre in type 2 diabetes

2009; Elsevier BV; Volume: 87; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.diabres.2009.11.007

1872-8227

Laima Brazionis, Joanne Yau, Kevin Rowley, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Kerin O’Dea, Tien Yin Wong, Alicia J. Jenkins,

Retinal and Optic Conditions

Objective To describe relationships of retinal vascular calibre with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and other cardiovascular risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes. Methods We recruited 112 community-based persons aged 44–83 years with type 2 diabetes, photo-documented retinal status using a digital fundus camera, and measured traditional and novel vascular risk factors. Retinal arteriolar and venular calibre and the arterio–venous ratio (AVR) were determined from fundus photographs using a validated computer-assisted method. Results In adjusted linear regression models, PAI-1 activity was strongly associated with all measures of retinal vascular calibre: positively with arterioles (p = 0.005) and AVR (p = 0.001), and inversely with venules (p = 0.001). In addition, wider arterioles were independently associated with waist-hip ratio (p < 0.0001), HDL-C (p = 0.015), and lower systolic blood pressure (p = 0.042), whereas narrower venules were associated with older age and a higher albumin excretion rate. Neither arteriolar nor venular calibre was associated with plasma total homocysteine or C-reactive protein concentration. Conclusion Retinal vascular calibre is independently associated with PAI-1 activity in type 2 diabetes. This finding supports a role for PAI-1 activity in the microvasculature of persons with type 2 diabetes and may explain the link between retinal vascular calibre and cardiovascular disease.