title: Gender differences in the expression of erythrocyte aggregation in relation to B beta-fibrinogen gene polymorphisms in apparently healthy individuals.
abstract: An increased erythrocyte aggregation (EA) is associated with capillary slow flow, tissue hypoxemia and endothelial dysfunction. Fibrinogen is a major determinant in the formation of aggregated red blood cells. It has been suggested that the B beta-fibrinogen -455 G/A polymorphism is associated with erythrocyte hyperaggregability in men with coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the beta-fibrinogen -455 G/A polymorphism on erythrocyte aggregation in apparently healthy individuals. Plasma fibrinogen, red blood cell count, serum lipids, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the genotype of the B beta-fibrinogen -455 G/A polymorphism were examined in a cohort of 545 apparently healthy individuals and those with atherothrombotic risk factors. A whole blood erythrocyte aggregation test was performed by using a simple slide test and image analysis. In men, EA levels and plasma fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in subjects carrying the -455 A allele compared to subjects with the -455 GG genotype. This association did not exist in women carrying the fibrinogen -455 A allele. The -455 GA/AA men presented significantly higher correlation between the plasma fibrinogen concentrations and EA. This observation raises the prospect of possible change in the functional properties of the -455 GA/AA fibrinogen, enhancing its ability to induce EH. This study suggests that the B beta-fibrinogen -455 A allele is related to EH in men only. Putative mechanism could be hyperfibrinogenemia and a functional change in the fibrinogen molecule that alters its ability to interact with red blood cells and supports the aggregability of these cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel.
authors.forename: Einor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ben Assayag
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bova
authors.forename: Shlomo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berliner
authors.forename: Hava
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peretz
authors.forename: Sali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Usher
authors.forename: Itzhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shapira
authors.forename: Natan M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Bornstein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C115499:BBeta fibrinogen; D005340:Fibrinogen