The prevalence of PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism in women with fetal loss: First data for a Serbian population

Abstract

Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is an inhibitor of fibrinolysis. The PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism is associated with elevated plasma levels of PAI-1. Overexpression of PAI-1 and impaired fibrinolysis in homozygous carriers of the 4G/4G PAI polymorphism may lead to abnormal placental formation and increased risk of fetal loss (FL). The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of this polymorphism in patients with FL in a Serbian population. Methods: The study was carried out in a group of 203 women (91 controls and 112 women with FL). The presence of PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism was detected by PCR-RFLP analysis. Results: Slightly increased frequency of the PAI-1 4G/4G genotype was observed in the study group compared to the controls (32.1% vs. 30.8%). The frequency of PAI-1 was highest in women experiencing FL in the second trimester of pregnancy (50%), but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PAI-1 4G/4G might be a risk factor for FL occurring in the second trimester of pregnancy. Further studies are required in order to determine the role of PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism in the etiology of FL.

Keywords

• pai-1 4g/5g polymorphism
• plasminogen activator inhibitor-1
• fetal loss