Fat distribution and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity in nondiabetic obese women.

Epidemiologic data strongly suggest that upper distribution of body fat and high plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, a link between these two parameters was evaluated by studying 51 menstrually active nondiabetic obese women. In this group positive correlations were observed between body mass index (BMI), waist to hip circumference ratio (W/H ratio, which estimates body fat distribution), plasma insulin, and PAI activity. In addition, plasma triglycerides were related to the W/H ratio and insulin and PAI activity. Partial correlations revealed that BMI was independently and solely related to W/H ratio, which was also independently related to plasma insulin, which in turn related to PAI activity. These results suggest that upper body fat distribution acts as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease through its association with high PAI activity.