We evaluated the fibrinolysis process in 45 patients (38 women and 7 men) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who did not possess antiphospholipid antibodies. We determined the concentration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), activity of the t-PA inhibitor (PAI-1), plasmin/alpha 2 complex concentrations (PAP), the fibrinogen and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products level (FDP). In comparison with healthy volunteers, the group of patients with SLE presented elevated levels of t-PA and PAP complexes. The activity of PAI-1 was also elevated but the difference was statistically insignificant. The levels of fibrinogen and FDP were similar in both groups. An increase in SLE patient PAP levels proves of the increase in fibrinolysis activity. This increase is probably caused by t-PA. A defect in the epithelium is the most likely source of t-PA in SLE patients.

Keywords: Fibrinolysis, lupus erythematosus