Plasma values for u-PA in children

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) is one major activator of plasm inogen. It is also involved in tissue remodelling, angiogenesis, cell migra tion, and tumour metastasis. In adults, increased u-PA levels have been ide ntified in patients with chronic liver disease. No data exist for u-PA plas ma levels in children. In the present study, u-PA plasma levels were measur ed by ELISA in 95 healthy children and adolescents aged 7 months to 17 year s. We found a median value of 1.06 ng/ml u-PA (range 0.43-15.78 ng/ml), whi ch is similar to that found in adults (2-20 ng/ml). No differences between males and females were recorded. In addition, we determined u-PA plasma lev els of 16 patients with severe or mild type I plasminogen deficiency and fo und a median value of 1.06 ng/ml (range 0.69-7.7 ng/ml). Conclusion Normal plasma u-PA values in healthy children and adults are vir tually no different from those reported in adults.