Decreased factor XIII levels in factor XIII A subunit Leu34 homozygous patients with coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
The effect of factor XIII A subunit (FXIII-A) Val34Leu polymorphism on the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been extensively studied. In this study we investigated how FXIII-A Val34Leu genotypes influence plasma factor XIII levels in patients with coronary sclerosis (CS) and myocardial infarction (MI) and how fibrinogen level modulates this effect.


METHODS
955 consecutive patients admitted for coronary angiography were categorized according to the presence or absence of significant CS and the history of MI. The frequency of FXIII-A Val34Leu polymorphism, fibrinogen, FXIII activity and antigen levels were determined.


CONCLUSIONS
CS or MI decreased FXIII levels in patients homozygous for FXIII-A Leu34 allele, but not in heterozygous or wild type patients. In the subgroup of patients with CS, but without the history of MI no significant effect was detected, which suggests that MI has a more prominent role. The specific activity of plasma FXIII was independent of FXIII-A Val34Leu genotype. FXIII and fibrinogen levels significantly correlated in CS+ and MI+ patients. In MI+ patients of Leu/Val or Leu/Leu genotypes and with fibrinogen levels in the lowest quartile, FXIII levels were lower than in the same patient groups, but with higher fibrinogen level. The low-scale continuous activation of blood coagulation in CAD patients could lead to parallel FXIII and fibrinogen consumption. As the same amount of thrombin activates more Leu34 FXIII than Val34 FXIII, increased FXIII consumption might be responsible for the decreased FXIII levels in Leu34 homozygous CAD patients.
Bereczky
Zsuzsanna
Z
Clinical Research Center, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
Balogh
Emilia
E
Katona
Eva
E
Czuriga
István
I
Kárpáti
Levente
L
Shemirani
Amir H
AH
Edes
István
I
Muszbek
László
L
D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D005176:Factor XIII / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics*; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D005838:Genotype; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012598:Sclerosis
D021122:Protein Subunits; D005340:Fibrinogen; D005176:Factor XIII