Breaking down blood clots: PAI-1 gene
Genetic variants impact PAI-1 levels, which increases clotting
Hi everyone,
My latest article (published this morning!) is about a way the body regulates blood clotting.
The formation of a blood clot involves a cascade of events that eventually leads to the formation of a fibrin mesh around sticky platelets - a clot. But the story doesn't end there. The clot continues to be degraded and remodeled, eventually dissolving as the wound heals.
The fibrin mesh in the clot is broken down by plasmin, which is synthesized from plasminogen during the clotting cascade. The conversion of plasminogen to plasmin can be stopped by PAI-1, which regulates the degradation of fibrin in the clot.
Genetic variants that increase PAI-1 levels are quite common. They can lead to more PAI-1, which then decreases the breakdown of fibrin, leading to more clotting. More clotting can be an advantage if you cut yourself or are injured. But the variants that increase PAI-1 are also associated with an increased relative risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, miscarriage, and fibrosis.
I don't want to overhype the PAI-1 variants, because they are pretty common. To put it in context, the variants in PAI-1 are likely to be important when stacked with other cardiovascular risk factors, such as atherosclerosis or type 2 diabetes. They may also be of concern alongside other risk factors for blood clots, such as a certain viral infection.
Lifestyle factors, such as a high glycemic index diet or smoking, also play a role. Importantly, there are ways to reduce the increased risk of PAI-1 variants through diet and supplements.
Wishing you all health and happiness,
Debbie
New article - open to non-members this week only.
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)
Key takeaways:
~ Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor (PAI-1) is an important enzyme in regulating the breakdown of blood clots and fibrosis.
~ Elevated PAI-1 levels are associated with an increased relative risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, tissue fibrosis, miscarriage, and more.
~ Genetic polymorphisms in the SERPINE1 gene can increase PAI-1 levels.
~ Lifestyle, diet, and natural supplements can help to reduce elevated PAI-1.
What I've been reading:
1. Covid loss of taste - SARS-CoV-2 in the taste buds
This new study shows that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was still present in the taste buds of people with loss of taste from Covid. The researchers biopsied the taste buds and found the virus in the cells up to a year after the individual had recovered from Covid.
2. Medical diagnosis errors in the US
This study in the BMJ estimates that 800,000 people die or are seriously disabled by medical diagnostic errors each year in the US. Something to think about if you are considering whether it is worth the cost to get a second opinion on a medical issue.