title: Fat metabolism, the fibrinogen/fibrinolytic system and blood flow: new potentials for the pharmacological treatment of coronary heart disease.
abstract: Recent studies have emphasized the role of blood fibrinogen as a major determinant of blood and plasma viscosity in the microcirculation, of red cell and platelet aggregation, and in the growth of atheromatous lesions. Blood fibrinogen levels are increased and the endogenous fibrinolytic activity decreased by conditions or factors which raise plasma free fatty acid levels. Conversely, a wide variety of hypolipidemic agents lower fibrinogen levels and increase endogenous fibrinolytic activity apparently by reducing hepatic synthesis of fibrinogen and antifibrinolysins. These observations may open a new avenue for the pharmacological development of agents capable of improving the patterns of blood flow in patients with circulatory impairments.
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013927:Thrombosis
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D005340:Fibrinogen