Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 deficiency has renal benefits but some adverse systemic consequences in diabetic mice.

Background: Elevated plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are observed in patients with obesity, hypertension and diabetes, and several observations suggest that PAI-1 mediates diabetic vascular complications. Although increased intrarenal expression of PAI-1 is also a feature of diabetic nephropathy, evidence that PAI-1 plays a primary pathogenetic role in the renal pathology is lacking.

Methods: This study was designed to investigate the renal effects of genetic PAI-1 deficiency in db/db mice with obesity, hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia.