Decrements in the Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (TAFI) Levels in Association with Orlistat Treatment in Obesity

Abstract

Obesity and its associated metabolic complications can impair the physiologic regulation of fibrinolysis, leading to a hyper coagulable state. We aimed to assess circulating thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) levels in obese female patients and to test the effects of orlistat-induced weight loss on basal TAFI concentrations. Obese female outpatients age 18 and older, with a body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) of at least 30, were included into the study. Thirteen nonobese (median BMI, 22.60 kg/m²) age-matched females were taken as controls. Plasma TAFI levels were measured before orlistat administration and after 6 months of orlistat treatment in the obese group and only one measurement was done in the control group. Twenty-seven obese patients were recruited into the study. The median TAFI level of the control group was 124.00; this value was significantly lower than the basal TAFI level of the obese group (p < 0.001). TAFI levels after orlistat therapy were statistically significantly lower than basal TAFI levels (p < 0.001) in the obese group. Hemostatic abnormalities including TAFI alterations represent a link between obesity and vascular thrombosis. Effective interventions should be considered in improving the obesity-associated prothrombotic risk profile.