Background: Type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and adiponectin are produced by adipocytes and are important in the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods and results: Different concentrations of glucose, insulin and 1% triglycerides were used to assay PAI-1 and adiponectin production from cultured adipocytes. Triglycerides induced the highest PAI-1 production with 16.5 mmol/L glucose and 50 nmol/L insulin. In contrast, glucose and insulin decreased adiponectin production in a dose-dependent manner irrespective of triglycerides.
Conclusion: The metabolic syndrome risk factors alter PAI-1 and adiponectin production by adipocytes, in the presence or absence of triglycerides, which might play a role in the development of CAD.