The effect of physiological levels of fibrinogen on platelet aggregation

• Published in: Thrombosis research Vol. 38; no. 5; pp. 527 - 534
• Main Authors: Meade, T.W., Vickers, M.V., Thompson, S.G., Seghatchian, M.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Ltd 01.06.1985; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adenosine Diphosphate - pharmacology; Adult; Afibrinogenemia - blood; aggregation; Biological and medical sciences; Blood coagulation. Blood cells; fibrinogen; Fibrinogen - metabolism; Fibrinogen - pharmacology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Molecular and cellular biology; Platelet; Platelet Aggregation - drug effects; Platelets; fibrinogen; Platelets; aggregation; Aggregation; Human; Platelet; Fibrinogen; Molecular interaction; Coagulation factor; Biological activity; Blood
• ISSN: 0049-3848; 1879-2472
• DOI: 10.1016/0049-3848(85)90185-9

Results from the Northwick Park Heart Study (NPHS) suggest that physiological levels of plasma fibrinogen may influence platelet aggregability. This possibility has been further studied by the addition of purified fibrinogen to the blood of 17 study participants with low plasma fibrinogen levels. The results, which were highly consistent between different individuals, showed that fibrinogen increases aggregability as measured by the ADP ED50, the dose of adenosine diphosphate at which aggregation proceeds at half its maximum velocity. However, an increasing plasma fibrinogen level was associated with decreasing aggregability measured by another parameter, the ADP EMR (estimated maximum response). Although the balance of evidence is that the plasma fibrinogen level enhances aggregability, these conflicting results emphasize the limitation of any simple concept of “platelet aggregability”.