The effect of oat husk supplementation in diet on plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in diabetic survivors of myocardial infarction

Abstract Oat husk supplementation has been shown to reduce plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity in healthy volunteers. This effect was evaluated in 42 survivors of myocardial infarction with diabetes mellitus type 2 assigned to either oat husk group or to regular diet group. Blood samples were collected on four occasions: at the entry in the study, after 6 (5 g/day) and 4 (10 g/day) weeks of diet supplementation and finally after 4 weeks of wash-out period. PAN antigen and PAI activity were, though not significantly, reduced by the 10 g/day oat husk supplement. After the wash-out period PAN antigen and PAI activity increased significantly above the values during dietary intervention and even above the initial values. A similar though not significant increase was observed in the control subjects. The increase in PAI-1 antigen during the observation period of 14 weeks in both groups could suggest a seasonal variation. In this respect, a more pronounced decrease of PAI that has been expected from oat husk supplementation might have been blurred by a concomitant seasonal increase, while the increase in PAI after the cessation of fiber supplementation might represent a rebound effect.