THE PREVALENCE OF PAI-1 4G/5G POLYMORPHISM IN WOMEN WITH FETAL LOSS – FIRST DATA FOR A SERBIAN POPULATION / UČESTALOST POLIMORFIZMA PAI-1 4G/5G KOD ŽENA SA SPONTANIM POBAČAJEM - PRVI PODACI ZA SRPSKU POPULACIJU

Abstract

Summary 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. Over- expression of PAI-1 and impaired fibrinolysis in homozygous carriers of the 4G/4G PAI polymorphism may lead to abnor- mal 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 sig- nificant. 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.