Fibrinolytic parameters in young adults: the Floren-teen (Florence Teenager) Study

Abstract

Objective: Determination of fibrinolytic parameters in young adults.

Design: Students from a high school of Florence were involved in a longitudinal 5-year study of Preventive Medicine and Education Program.

Setting: Istituto Clinica Medica Generale e Cardiologia, University of Florence, and Nuovo Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio, Florence, Italy.

Subjects: 144 healthy students (59 males and 85 females) aged 17–19 years.

Interventions: Venous blood withdrawal on fasting subjects, after 30 min of resting.

Main outcome measures: Euglobulin lysis time (ELT) was measured on acidified plasma. PAI activity (PAI ag) was measured by chromogenic method. PAI-1 antigen (PAI-1 ag) and t-PA (¹-₂I-1PA ag) antigen were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Lipid analysis was performed by enzymatic assays.

Results: We observed sex-related differences for ELT, which was shorter in males, and PAI-1 ag and t-PA ag levels which were significantly higher in males. No differences in the various parameters were observed according to smoking habits, alcohol consumption or practice of leisure physical activity. A correlation was found between ELT and lipid parameters. PAI-1 ag was correlated to weight, BMI, arterial blood pressure, and lipid parameters. PAI ac was directly related to blood pressure only in females. t-PA ag was correlated to arterial blood pressure and lipid parameters. Direct correlations were observed among ELT, PAI ac, PAI-1 ag, and t-PA ag.

Conclusion: The influence of classical risk factors on fibrinolysis-related risk factors takes place early in life.