Increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and its associations with metabolic risk in healthy young adults with early life stress

We aimed to characterize the interplay between early life stress (ELS), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a major inhibitor of the fibrinolytic system implicated in cardiometabolic diseases. We also examined the understudied intersection of ELS, physical activity and PAI-1. Healthy young adults ages 18–40 (N=200; 68% female) were recruited from the community. Participants with ELS (N=118) experienced childhood maltreatment, and the majority (n=92) also experienced childhood parental loss. Control participants (N=82) had no history of childhood maltreatment or parental loss. Participants had no current cardiometabolic or thrombotic conditions. Fasting plasma samples were assessed for markers of metabolic risk and total PAI-1 using the Bio-Plex Pro Human Diabetes Panel (Bio-Rad Laboratories). A composite metabolic risk z-score (MetS risk) was computed from the mean standardized z-scores of waist-to-height ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HLD cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and hemoglobin A1c. We found that a history of ELS was linked to both higher PAI-1 levels and a higher MetS risk score. ELS was associated with a higher MetS Z-score in adulthood via increased circulating PAI-1 levels (Average Causal Mediation Effect [ACME]= 0.07, p = 0.036). ELS was also linked to increased PAI-1 levels via greater MetS z-scores (ACME = 0.02, p < 0.001). There was a significant interaction effect of ELS and exercise on PAI-1 levels (p = 0.03), such that engaging in higher levels of daily exercise was linked to lower PAI-1 levels in individuals with ELS. Healthy young adults with ELS have elevated PAI-1 levels and metabolic risk scores. Among individuals with ELS, exercise is linked to lower PAI-1 levels, suggesting a potential direction for early intervention. •Early life stress (ELS) is associated with increased metabolic risk (MetS).•MetS risk scores and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were assessed in healthy young adults with ELS.•ELS was associated with higher PAI-1 levels; Mediation models demonstrated and indirect effect of ELS on MetS risk via PAI-1.•Higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower PAI-1 levels, identifying an avenue for early intervention.