Assessment of α1-antitrypsin and α2-macroglobulin levels in obese patients

Introduction. Epidemiologic data show a higher frequency of thromboembolic incidents in obese individuals compared with normal weight subjects. Pro‑inflammatory factors seem to play an important role in their development. It has not been fully explained so far how α1-antitrypsin (α1ATp) and α2-macroglobulin (α2MG) act in obese subjects. Both proteins participate directly and indirectly in regulation of inflammation, coagulation and fibrinolysis. Thus alterations in serum levels of these protease inhibitors may play an important role in the development of vascular incidents in obesity. Objectives. To assess serum α1ATp and α2MG levels in obese patients. Patients and methods. The study involved 16 subjects with obesity and metabolic syndrome and 14 obese subjects with no disturbances of glucose and lipid profile or arterial hypertension. 20 healthy volunteers served as the control group. Levels of α1ATp and α2MG were determined in all subjects using immunonephelometry. Results. No significant differences in α1ATp and α2MG levels between the patients and the control group were observed. Comparison of the tested parameters in the obese with metabolic syndrome and those without metabolic disturbances showed higher values of α1ATp levels in the former group. In this group positive correlations between α1ATp levels and fasting insulin levels were found. Conclusions. Metabolic disturbances in obesity are associated with an elevated level of α1ATp, which might confirm its important role in the development of vascular incidents in obese patients. An increased risk of vascular pathological lesions in obesity is probably not associated with α2MG levels.