title: beta-Fibrinogen Gene -455 G/A Polymorphism in Korean Ischemic Stroke Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the relationship between the beta-fibrinogen gene (FGB) -455 G/A polymorphism and plasma fibrinogen levels in Korean ischemic stroke patients. We also determined whether the frequency of the -455 G/A polymorphism differed between two subtypes of noncardioembolic stroke: large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and small-vessel occlusion (SVO).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 267 patients with noncardioembolic stroke were enrolled. Plasma fibrinogen and other risk factors for stroke were evaluated. FGB -455 G/A genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction with restrictive enzyme Hae III and automatic DNA sequencing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FGB -455 G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with an elevated plasma fibrinogen level (p<0.001). The frequency of the A allele in Korean stroke patients was 16.7%. However, the frequency of the -455 G/A polymorphism did not differ between LAA and SVO.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The plasma fibrinogen level might be affected by the -455 G/A polymorphism in noncardioembolic stroke patients. However, the LAA and SVO subtypes of ischemic stroke were not affected by the -455 G/A polymorphism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Han
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Myeong-Kyu
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Man-Seok
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seong-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Joon-Tae
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Byeong-Chae
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ki-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Cho