| Sumario: | The fibrinogen (Fbg) molecule is a dimer, consisting of three pairs of different polypeptide chains. In the coagulation cascade, Fbg is converted into fibrin. It is an acute phase protein that is involved in several cellular interactions:platelet aggregation, blood rheology, pinocytosis, cell growth, cell migration, chemotaxis and endothelial cell injury. Fibrinogen biosynthesis by hepatocytes is controlled by "hepatocyte stimulating factors" (Interleukin-6, Leukemia Inhibitor Factor and Oncostatin M). Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated a positive statistical correlation of the plasma Fbg level with subsequent ischemic cardiovascular events. Fbg is associated with cholesterol, glycemia, blood pressure, smoking, alcohol, age. It has not been clearly established whether the increase in Fbg levels is a risk factor or merely a marker of vascular desease.
|
|---|