Elevated plasma level of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the cen tral nervous system and one of the earliest changes in inflammatory focus i nvolves the activation of vascular endothelial cells. We determined the pla sma level of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a key regulator of fibrinolysis and cell migration, in patients with MX. The level of plasma P AI-1 was significantly higher in active MS cases when compared to stable MS and controls. Plasma concentrations of tissue plasminogen activator, trans forming growth factor beta-1, and lipoprotein-a remained normal in spite of disease activity. These results suggested that PAI-1 plasma levels are ass ociated with MX disease activity and is a good marker for MS relapse. (C) 1 999 Tohoku University Medical Press.