基质金属蛋白酶9及组织抑制物1对预测和早期诊断川崎病冠状动脉病变的意义

目的探讨川崎病（Kawasaki disease,KD）血清基质金属蛋白酶9（matrix metallopmteinase-9,MMP-9）及其特异性组织抑制物1（tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1,TIMP-1）水平的动态变化在冠状动脉病变（coronary artery lesion,CAL）的预测和早期诊断中的临床价值。方法实验组KD合并CAL患儿15例,未合并CAL患儿44例,急性期静脉注射免疫球蛋白（intravenous immunoglobulin,IVIG）前后、亚急性期及恢复期各抽取1次外周静脉血,对照组为20例正常体检儿童。ELISA双抗体法测定血清MMP-9与TIMP-1含量。结果KD患儿急性期血清MMP-9含量、TIMP-1含量及MMP-9／TIMP-1均较正常对照组增高（P〈0、01）;IVIG干预后KD患儿血清MMP-9含量与MMP-9／TIMP-1比值降低（P〈0．01）;KD合并CAL患儿IVIG干预前血清MMP-9含量及血清MMP-9／TIMP-1比值高于无CAL患儿（P〈0．01）。结论川崎病冠状动脉病变患儿血清MMP-9含量与MMP-9／TIMP-1比值在急性期高于无冠状动脉病变患儿,提示MMP-9含量的急剧升高及与TIMP-1相互拮抗作用的失代偿可能是川崎病冠状动脉病变的高风险因素,动态监测血清MMP-9含量和（或）MMP-9／TIMP-1比值对预测和早期诊断川崎病合并冠脉病变具有重要的临床意义。     

A sibship with recurrent Kawasaki disease and coronary artery lesion

Although epidemiologic studies of Kawasaki disease suggest an infectious etiology, the cause of this mysterious disease remains unclear. We describe the occurrence of five episodes of Kawasaki disease over a six-year period in three siblings. Two of the three children experienced recurrent Kawasaki disease and developed coronary artery lesions, which included giant coronary artery aneurysms in the youngest child. The non-contemporaneous occurrence of the disease in these three children emphasizes the importance of a genetic basis and/or environmental factors in the etiology of Kawasaki disease.     

Guidelines for catheter intervention in coronary artery lesion in Kawasaki disease

The Research Committee of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare 'Study of treatment and long-term management in Kawasaki disease' reported the guidelines for catheter intervention in coronary artery lesion in Kawasaki disease in this paper. The contents include: (i) background and natural history of coronary artery lesion in Kawasaki disease; (ii) indication of catheter intervention; (iii) types of procedure, and their indication and care; (iv) institute and backup system; (v) the management after procedure, evaluation and follow up; and (vi) prospects, especially in relation to bypass surgery.     

川崎病患儿冠状动脉病变的发生机理及其预防探讨

目的观察川崎病患儿冠状动脉病变的发生机理及丙种球蛋白对其防治作用。方法应用细胞培养、免疫细胞化学染色、核酸杂交和流式细胞分析方法。结果川崎病患儿血清能够强烈诱导人血管内皮细胞表达血小板源生长因子（ＰＤＧＦ）Ｂ链蛋白；经川崎病血清作用后的内皮细胞条件培养基（ＥＣＭ）亦能显著促进血管平滑肌细胞表达ＰＤＧＦ受体ｍＲＮＡ，并强烈诱导平滑肌细胞增殖。丙种球蛋白则能显著抑制川崎病血清的上述诱导作用。结论ＰＤＧＦ－ＰＤＧＦ受体途径激活参与了川崎病冠状动脉病变的形成；丙种球蛋白的防治作用与抑制ＰＤＧＦ－ＰＤＧＦ受体途径的激活有关     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene polymorphism in Iranian Azeri Turkish patients with FMF disease and its association with amyloidosis

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by intermittent episodes of fever with serositis, arthritis, or eriseplemya. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is a key element in the inhibition of fibrinolysis by inactivating tissue-type and urokinase-type plasminogen activators. We evaluated the association of PAI-1 -675 4G/5G polymorphism with the severity of FMF disease. For this purpose, 89 FMF patients with M694V homozygous mutation and 95 healthy controls from Iranian Azeri Turks were selected. Detection of this polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction using allele-specific primers. No significant association was found between patients and control group. However, these data showed that FMF patients with M694V homozygous mutation carrying 4G/4G genotype have a reduced risk for development of pleuritis (odds ratios (OR) 0.36; 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 0.5–0.85; P value?=?0.007) compared with 5G/5G homozygotes who have increased risk for development of amyloidosis (OR?=?2.46; 95 %CI?=?1.29–4.72; P value?=?0.001), pleuritis (OR?=?2.55; 95 %CI?=?1.31–4.99; P value?=?0.001), and fever (OR?=?4.68; 95 %CI?=?2.04–10.96; P value?=?0.000). Furthermore, the allelic frequency of the 4G among the patients with pleuritis was significantly low (OR?=?0.5, 95 % CI?=?0.27–0.92, P value?=?0.008). Conclusion Our data suggest a protective role for the 4G allele against pleuritis in FMF patients with M694V homozygous mutation in this cohort. More evaluation of this polymorphism may be important and require further studies.     

川崎病冠状动脉损害高危因素的研究

目的 从Kobayashi评分体系及血管紧张素Ⅰ转化酶(angiotensin converting enzyme,ACE)基因多态性两方面探讨川崎病(Kawasaki Disease,KD)患儿的冠状动脉损害的高危因素.方法 住院川崎病患儿137例,其中无冠脉损害120例,有冠脉损害为17例.根据Kobayashi等提出的最新的川崎病并发冠状动脉损害的高危评分指标对患儿的临床资料进行统计学分析;选取其中的37例川崎病患儿(其中8例有冠状动脉损害)和37名健康儿童,用PCR方法 检测其外周血ACE基因多态性,并进行统计学分析.结果 Kobayashi评分体系各单项临床指标在冠脉损害组和无冠脉损害组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);冠脉损害组Kobayashi总评分为1.75±1.65,无冠脉损害组为1.66±1.55,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).ACE各基因型(Ⅱ、DD、ⅠD)在冠脉损害组和无冠脉损害组、川崎病组和对照组之间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);Ⅰ等位基因频率在冠脉损害组中明显高于无冠脉损害组(75.0%比44.8%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).Kobayashi各单项指标在ACE各基因型之间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 川崎病冠脉损害组和无冠脉损害组Kobayashi各单项指标及总评分差异相似;ACE的Ⅰ/D基因多态性可能与川崎病并发冠脉损害有关.     

川崎病冠状动脉损害中相关基因的研究进展

川崎病足儿童获得性心脏病的主要病因之一,易并发冠状动脉扩张和冠状动脉瘤.目前已发现基因异常在川崎病冠状动脉损害的发病机制中有重要作用,其中MMP基因、MICA基因、IL-10(-627A/C)启动基因、肾上腺髓质素基因等都与冠状动脉损害相关.该文通过对川崎病遗传因素的研究,为冠状动脉损害的临床诊断、早期干预和治疗提供了依据,提示川崎病遗传学的进一步探索具有良好的前景.     

人参皂苷Rb1对川崎病小鼠冠状动脉损伤的作用

目的 探讨人参皂苷Rb1对川崎病（KD）小鼠模型冠状动脉损伤（CAL）的治疗作用及信号通路。方法 将BALB/C小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、阿司匹林组、人参皂苷Rb1低剂量组（50 mg/kg）和高剂量组（100 mg/kg）,每组12只。除对照组外的其他各组均采用间断性腹腔注射10%牛血清白蛋白溶液进行造模;阿司匹林组、Rb1低剂量组和高剂量组分别在造模后给予相应药物灌胃20 d。苏木精-伊红染色观察冠状动脉组织病理变化;ELISA法检测各组小鼠血清和冠状动脉组织中肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素（IL）-6和IL-1β等相关炎症因子;Western blot法检测各组小鼠冠状动脉组织中调控自噬信号通路（AMPK/mTOR）和氧化应激信号通路（PI3K/AKT）相关蛋白的相对表达水平。结果 病理切片结果显示,与模型组相比,高剂量Rb1显著改善了CAL小鼠的血管壁增厚、内膜水肿、纤维断裂和内皮细胞炎性浸润等症状。和对照组相比,模型组、Rb1低剂量组小鼠血清及冠状动脉组织中TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）;模型组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-AMPK/AMPK、P-mTOR/mTOR和P-P70S6/P70S6表达水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）;而模型组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-PI3K/PI3K、P-AKT/AKT和P-GSK-3β/GSK-3β表达水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）。和模型组相比,阿司匹林组、Rb1高剂量组小鼠血清及冠状动脉组织中TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）;Rb1低、高剂量组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-AMPK/AMPK、P-mTOR/mTOR和P-P70S6/P70S6表达水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）,且两个剂量组之间有剂量依赖性（P < 0.05）;Rb1低剂量组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-PI3K/PI3K表达水平差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）,P-AKT/AKT和P-GSK-3β/GSK-3β表达水平增加（P < 0.05）,而Rb1高剂量组上述3种蛋白相对表达水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）。和Rb1低剂量组相比,阿司匹林组和Rb1高剂量组小鼠血清及冠状动脉组织中TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）;Rb1高剂量组的P-PI3K/PI3K和P-AKT/AKT表达水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）。结论 人参皂苷Rb1可有效减轻KD小鼠模型CAL,疗效与Rb1使用剂量有关。其作用机制可能与通过调控自噬信号通路AMPK/mTOR/P70S6抑制CAL炎症,同时调控氧化应激信号通路PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β发挥保护冠状动脉内皮细胞生物学活性有关。     

人参皂苷Rb1对川崎病小鼠冠状动脉损伤的作用

目的 探讨人参皂苷Rb1对川崎病（KD）小鼠模型冠状动脉损伤（CAL）的治疗作用及信号通路。方法 将BALB/C小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、阿司匹林组、人参皂苷Rb1低剂量组（50 mg/kg）和高剂量组（100 mg/kg）,每组12只。除对照组外的其他各组均采用间断性腹腔注射10%牛血清白蛋白溶液进行造模;阿司匹林组、Rb1低剂量组和高剂量组分别在造模后给予相应药物灌胃20 d。苏木精-伊红染色观察冠状动脉组织病理变化;ELISA法检测各组小鼠血清和冠状动脉组织中肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素（IL）-6和IL-1β等相关炎症因子;Western blot法检测各组小鼠冠状动脉组织中调控自噬信号通路（AMPK/mTOR）和氧化应激信号通路（PI3K/AKT）相关蛋白的相对表达水平。结果 病理切片结果显示,与模型组相比,高剂量Rb1显著改善了CAL小鼠的血管壁增厚、内膜水肿、纤维断裂和内皮细胞炎性浸润等症状。和对照组相比,模型组、Rb1低剂量组小鼠血清及冠状动脉组织中TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）;模型组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-AMPK/AMPK、P-mTOR/mTOR和P-P70S6/P70S6表达水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）;而模型组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-PI3K/PI3K、P-AKT/AKT和P-GSK-3β/GSK-3β表达水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）。和模型组相比,阿司匹林组、Rb1高剂量组小鼠血清及冠状动脉组织中TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）;Rb1低、高剂量组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-AMPK/AMPK、P-mTOR/mTOR和P-P70S6/P70S6表达水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）,且两个剂量组之间有剂量依赖性（P < 0.05）;Rb1低剂量组小鼠冠状动脉组织中P-PI3K/PI3K表达水平差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）,P-AKT/AKT和P-GSK-3β/GSK-3β表达水平增加（P < 0.05）,而Rb1高剂量组上述3种蛋白相对表达水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）。和Rb1低剂量组相比,阿司匹林组和Rb1高剂量组小鼠血清及冠状动脉组织中TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β水平均显著下降（P < 0.05）;Rb1高剂量组的P-PI3K/PI3K和P-AKT/AKT表达水平均显著增加（P < 0.05）。结论 人参皂苷Rb1可有效减轻KD小鼠模型CAL,疗效与Rb1使用剂量有关。其作用机制可能与通过调控自噬信号通路AMPK/mTOR/P70S6抑制CAL炎症,同时调控氧化应激信号通路PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β发挥保护冠状动脉内皮细胞生物学活性有关。     

Soluble forms of the selectin family in children with Kawasaki disease: prediction for coronary artery lesions

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the plasma levels of soluble forms of the selectin family and the incidence of coronary artery lesions (CALs) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: Thirty-three patients with KD, including group A patients (n = 22) who had no CALs and group B patients (n = 11) who had CALs, as well as age-matched febrile (n = 10) and afebrile controls (n = 11), were studied. RESULTS: Peak plasma E-selectin levels (172.0 +/- 58.6 ng ml(-1)) occurred during the acute phase of KD, while peak plasma P-selectin levels (260.3 +/- 43.2 ng ml(-1)) occurred during the subacute phase of the illness (p<0.05). Plasma L-selectin levels (1757.3 +/- 244.3 ng ml(-1)) during the convalescent phase tended to be higher than in either the acute or the subacute phase (not significant). Before intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, the plasma levels of E- (225.1 +/- 46.8 ng ml(-1)) and P-selectin (259.4 +/- 76.2 ng ml(-1)) of patients with CALs (n = 11) were significantly higher than those of patients (n = 22) with no CALs (E-selectin, 131.6 +/- 36.9 ng ml(-1); P-selectin, 184.9 +/- 84.6 ng ml(-1); p < 0.05). When a plasma E-selectin value before immunoglobulin treatment of >184.7 ng ml(-1) was used as the cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity for the incidence of CALs were 81.8% and 90.9%, respectively. These findings demonstrate the relationship between plasma levels of selectins and disease severity of Kawasaki vasculitis. CONCLUSION: Higher plasma levels of E-selectin may have potential as a predictor of the incidence of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease patients.     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1: defining characteristics in the cerebrospinal fluid of newborns

We measured plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of newborns with and without posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. We found that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of healthy newborns are <10 mg/mL but are greatly elevated in patients who have posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus and correlate directly with cerebrospinal fluid D-dimer and protein levels.     

川崎病患儿心率变异性与冠状动脉损害的相关性研究

目的 探讨川崎病(KD)患儿的心率变异性(HRV)指标与肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)和氨基末端脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)的相关性及其在预后中的应用价值。方法 将130 例KD 患儿分为冠状动脉损害组(n=47, CAL 组)和无CAL 组(n=83, NCAL 组), 同期选取110 例健康儿童为对照组, 29 例非心血管疾病恢复期患儿为非KD 组。各组儿童均行长程HRV 指标检测及分析。检测KD 组及非KD 组患儿血清NT-proBNP 及cTnI 水平。结果 同年龄性别KD 组患儿正常窦性N-N 间期标准差(SDNN)、相邻N-N 间期标准差的平均值(SDNNindex)、相邻N-N 间期之差>50 ms 的心搏数占心搏总数的百分数(PNN50)、极低频功率(VLF)、低频功率(LF)和高频功率(HF)值较对照组均明显下降, LF/HF 值较对照组升高(P<0.05)。CAL 组SDNN、全部记录中每5 min N-N 间期平均值的标准差(SDANN)、SDNNindex、相邻N-N 间期差值的均方根值(rMSSD)、PNN50、VLF、LF 和HF 值均低于对照组和非KD 组, LF/HF 值高于对照组(P<0.05)。CAL 组及NCAL 组的cTnI 和NT-proBNP 水平均高于非KD 组(P<0.05)。KD 患儿cTnI 与SDNN、HF 呈负相关, 与LF/HF 呈正相关(P<0.05);NT-proBNP 与SDNN、SDANN、HF 呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论 HRV 指标对KD 患儿的CAL 判断具有一定的临床意义。     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue-plasminogen activator in minority adolescents with type 2 diabetes and obesity

Increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and decreased tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) activities lead to impaired fibrinolysis, which is critical for cardiovascular disease. We studied these hemostatic factors at fasting state and after an oral fat load in 12 type 2 diabetic and 17 nondiabetic obese adolescents, matched for age, sex, body mass index, and sexual maturation. Plasma PAI-1, t-PA, and glucose as well as serum C-peptide, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL and LDL cholesterol levels were measured at 0, 2, 4, and 6 h after the fat load. Metabolic responses were expressed as the area under the curve (AUC). PAI-1 activities were significantly greater in patients than in control subjects [fasting, 23.4 +/- 2.6 versus 12.9 +/- 2.0 U/mL (p < 0.004); AUC, 101.7 +/- 12.1 versus 57.6 +/- 6.5 U . h [corrected] . mL(-1) (p < 0.003)]. Fasting t-PA activities were significantly lower in the patients than in the control subjects (0.8 +/- 0.3 versus 6.5 +/- 2.7 U/mL; p < 0.001). Triglyceride was the only lipid parameter that was significantly different in the patients than in the control subjects [fasting, 1.5 +/- 0.2 versus 0.9 +/- 0.1 mM (p < 0.05); AUC, 15.7 +/- 2.9 versus 7.9 +/- 0.6 mmol . h(-1) . L(-1) (p < 0.02)]. The PAI-1 activities decreased significantly during the loading tests (p < 0.0001), whereas the t-PA activities did not change. Insulin resistance estimated by the homeostasis model assessment was greater in the patients than in the control subjects (14.4 +/- 2.8 versus 4.6 +/- 0.7; p < 0.0001). We conclude that elevated PAI-1 and diminished t-PA activities, suggestive of suppressed fibrinolysis, are present in our adolescents with type 2 diabetes; adding another risk factor for cardiovascular disease and acute high fat load does not further negatively affect this suppressed fibrinolysis.     

川崎病冠脉损伤与血浆一氧化氮的相关性及其高危因素预测

目的 探讨川崎病冠脉损伤的高危因素及冠脉损伤与血浆NO的相关性.方法 选择100例川崎病患儿,其中冠脉损伤(CAL)组50例、无冠脉损伤(NCA)组50例,用单因素方差分析筛选出与冠脉损伤有关的指标,进一步用Logistic分析与冠脉损伤独立相关的因素.选择川崎病组69例,其中CAL 39例、NCA 30例、正常对照组90例,用硝酸还原法测各组血浆NO水平.结果 川崎病患儿血清白蛋白和白细胞计数与冠脉损伤的发病危险性独立相关(P＜0.05);发热时间、红细胞沉降率(ESR)、CRP在两组中,与冠脉损伤的发生无相关性(P＞0.05).川崎病血浆NO水平高于对照组(P＜0.05),CAL组高于NCA组(P＜0.01).结论 白细胞计数明显增高和低蛋白血症可能足冠脉损伤的高危因素,可作为川崎病冠脉损伤的预测因子;NO在川崎病的血管炎和冠脉损伤的发生过程中可能起剑一定作用.     

PTX3及NT-proBNP在小儿川崎病冠脉损害中的意义

目的探讨PTX3及NT-proBNP作为生物标记物在评估儿童川崎病(KD)冠脉损害中的意义。方法检测64例KD患儿急性期及恢复期血清中PTX 3、NT-proBNP和炎症因子(IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α)浓度,并在急性期行心脏彩超检查;同时选取同年龄仅呼吸道感染患儿和健康体检儿童各30例作为对照组进行比较和相关性评价;应用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析急性期PTX3和NT-proBNP对KD的诊断效能。结果各组间血清中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α、NT-proBNP和PTX 3浓度的差异均有统计学意义(P0. 01);各指标均以KD组急性期为最高。KD急性期冠状动脉损伤(CAL)组与NCAL组间比较,血清PTX3的差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。PTX3和NT-proBNP均与IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α成正相关(r=0.645～0.697,P0.001)。PTX3和NT-proBNP诊断KD的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.909(95%CI:0.862～0.957,P0. 001)和0. 918(95%CI:0. 856～0. 981,P0. 001)。结论 PTX 3和NT-proBNP有助于KD诊断,PTX 3与病情活动性相关,可用作病情监测。     

川崎病流行病学特征及冠状动脉损害的相关因素分析

目的 总结川崎病(KD)流行特点,探讨并发冠状动脉损害(CAL)的危险因素.方法 采用回顾性分析方法,对1997-2008年禹州市三所医院确诊的186例KD患儿临床资料进行研究,分析KD流行特点,比较KD并发CAL病例和非CAL病例暴露因素,用Logistic回归分析筛选CAL发生的显著危险因素.结果 住院治疗KD患儿逐年上升,1～3岁为KD高发年龄段,男女比例为1.66:1,合并CAL发生率33.10%;单因素分析显示年龄、居住环境、发病至就诊时间、总发热天数、静脉注射免疫球蛋白(IVIG)用量和时间、血清白蛋白(ALB)含量、血小板(PLT)数与KD并发CAL相关联(P均＜0.05);Logistic回归分析显示年龄、ALB、PLT、发热天数进入的回归方程,有统计学意义.结论 KD发病率呈升高趋势,1～3岁男性儿童是发生KD的高危人群;KD主要危害冠状动脉,年龄≤2岁、ALB＜40g/L、PLT＞500×109/L、热程＞10 d是KD并发CAL的显著危险因素.     

MicroRNA-208与川崎病冠状动脉损伤发病机制关系研究进展

川崎病是一种儿童发热性血管炎症疾病,因其易并发冠状动脉损伤(coronary artery lesion,CAL),被认为是儿童继发性心脏病的首要病因。尽管静脉注射用人免疫球蛋白的应用大幅度降低了冠状动脉瘤的发生率,CAL的存在仍然给部分患者家庭带来较大的经济负担和心理压力。研究川崎病并发CAL的疾病机制对其预防和治疗...     

Lack of value of procalcitonin for prediction of coronary aneurysms in Kawasaki disease

We studied the clinical, biologic (white blood cells, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin) and echocardiographic findings in 18 children hospitalized for Kawasaki disease from January 1999 until February 2006 to determine if procalcitonin is a useful marker to predict coronary aneurysms. In our study, contrary to earlier reports, elevated procalcitonin was not correlated with development of coronary aneurysms.     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in girls with precocious pubarche: a premenarcheal marker for polycystic ovary syndrome?

In both obese and nonobese women, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is essentially a disorder of hyperinsulinemic insulin resistance, and it may be heralded by precocious pubarche (PP; appearance of pubic hair in girls aged <8 y). The risk of progression from PP to PCOS is related to low birth weight, but there are no early biochemical markers of this risk. As increased plasminogen activator-inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) activity (act) is an early marker of cardiovascular risk in PCOS, we have sought abnormalities in young girls with PP. In 33 young PP girls (age range 6-11 y), PAI-1-act was increased (mean + SEM: 15.6 +/- 1.5 IU/mL) compared with age-, sex-, and pubertal stage-matched controls (n = 13, 10.7 +/- 1.9, p < 0.05). PAI-1-act levels were inversely related to birth weight SD score (r = -0.33, p < 0.05), and PAI-1-act levels were therefore higher in PP girls with low birth weights (n = 14, 19.5 +/- 2.5 IU/mL) than normal birth weights (n = 19, 12.8 +/- 1.5, p < 0.01). During longitudinal observation in 10 PP girls (mean time interval 2.7 y), PAI-1-act levels in early puberty were positively related to postmenarcheal insulin levels (mean serum insulin SDS postoral glucose, r = 0.65, p < 0.05), and showed a similar relationship to postmenarcheal testosterone levels (r = 0.61, p = 0.06). Together with low birth weight, increased plasma PAI-1-act levels in early pubertal PP girls may indicate those girls with greater risk of developing hyperinsulinemic-hyperandrogenism features of PCOS.