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Thromb Haemost 1993; 70(02): 281-285
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1649566
Original Articles
Coagulation
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Protein C Activity in Healthy Volunteers - Influence of Age, Sex, Smoking and Oral Contraceptives

R C Tait
The Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland
,
Isobel D Walker
The Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland
,
S I A M Islam
1   The Glasgow and West of Scotland Blood Transfusion Service, Law Hospital, Carluke, Scotland
,
Frances McCall
The Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland
,
J A Conkie
The Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland
,
M Wight
The Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland
,
R Mitchell
1   The Glasgow and West of Scotland Blood Transfusion Service, Law Hospital, Carluke, Scotland
,
J F Davidson
The Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 28 September 1992

Accepted after revision 06 February 1993

Publication Date:
04 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

Interpretation of protein C (PC) levels in a given individual has several limitations. A normal PC activity does not necessarily exclude a genetic deficiency nor can a reduced level confirm it. Measuring PC amidolytic activity in 9,648 healthy blood donors has allowed identification of demographic factors which cause variation in PC activity and further hinder interpretation. PC activity displays a log normal distribution and significant variation with age. This is most marked in young adult males when mean PC activity rises from 0.86 iu/ml (15–19 years) to 1.04 iu/ml (45–49 years; P <0.0001). Pre-menopausal females, who for most age ranges, have mean PC activity below their male contemporaries, show a less marked rise with age until the menopause when PC activity rises further. The use of hormonal contraceptive preparations is associated with an increase in mean PC activity of 0.05–0.08 iu/ml while smoking habit has no influence on PC activity.

In view of these findings we strongly recommend the use of age and sex restricted reference ranges when interpreting PC activity.

 

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