Jc. Jerling et al., DIFFERENCES IN PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR-1 ACTIVITY BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES MAY BE DIET-RELATED, Haemostasis, 24(6), 1994, pp. 364-368
Two matched groups of healthy non-smoking male volunteers between 18 a
nd 23 years old and with a body mass index of 19-24 kg/m(2) were selec
ted from urban whites (n = 15) and from rural Vendas (blacks; n = 17).
Fasting venous blood samples were collected between 07.00 and 10.00 h
, and a validated food frequency questionnaire was administered. The r
esults showed highly significant differences in dietary patterns. Sign
ificant differences were observed with regard to serum cholesterol (p
< 0.02), percentage high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.02), c
alculated insulin sensitivity index (p < 0.04), and plasma fibrinogen
levels (p < 0.03). Tissue plasminogen activator antigen did not differ
significantly. The plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 activity was sig
nificantly lower (p < 0.0001) in the Vendas than in the whites. It is
concluded that diet may be an important determinant of plasminogen act
ivator inhibitor 1 activity.