| Sub-title | |
| Author | P Scicluna |
| Abstract | Protein Z (PZ) is a vitamin K-dependent plasma protein whose significance in disease remains unknown. Low PZ levels were associated with ischaemic stroke in young adults, though this association is still not clear. PZ deficiency was also associated in women with a first episode of early foetal loss. Aim: Detection of PZ antigen levels in patients who suffered a thrombophilicevent, including ischemic stroke, thromboembolic-events and recurrent miscarriage patients with two or more foetal losses. Methods: 153 healthy individuals were tested for PZ levels and were included in our control group. A total of 52 thrombophilic patients were enrolled and included females with history of recurrent foetal loss; patients who suffered a thromboembolic-event; and patients who suffered an ischaemic-stroke. Patients were sampled 3 months after their thrombotic episode and none of them was on oral anticoagulation. Results: Mean plasma PZ level in each group was comparable to that of control group. Difference in means was not found to be statistically significant (P>0.05). Occurance of PZ deficiency in each group was similar. Conclusion: Our results are similar to those obtained by other researchers except for a lower mean PZ level in controls. PZ levels are normally distributed with a broad total range in normal individuals. No relation between PZ levels and gender nor age was found. PZ deficiency was detected in 12 females who had recurrent foetal loss, in 3 patients who suffered an ischaemic stroke and in 6 patients who suffered a thromboembolic-event. Further studies are required to clarify the relation of PZ levels and disease. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | recurrent miscarriage, stroke, thrombophilia, protein Z |