Summary
The γ’ fibrinogen isoform produces clots that are stiffer and more resistant to breakdown
than the more common fibrinogen isoform, γA. Increased levels of γ’ fibrinogen are
associated with several forms of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this cross-sectional
study was to investigate the relationship between γ’ fibrinogen, an emerging risk
factor for cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory markers in subjects with a chronic
inflammatory state. The 284 subjects for this study came from the Periodontitis And
Vascular Events (PAVE) study, and γ’ fibrinogen and total fibrinogen in plasma were
measured by ELISA. Information on patient demographics and health status, as well
as levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker, have previously been
collected for this study. The mean (SE) γ’ fibrinogen level in the subjects was 0.622
(0.017) mg/ml. Levels of γ’ fibrinogen were correlated with CRP (p = 0.006), with
a one unit increase in CRP associated with a 1.9% increase in γ’ fibrinogen, after
adjustment for potential confounders. Total fibrinogen was not correlated with γ’
fibrinogen in these subjects. The number of dental sites with evidence of tissue inflammation
was also significantly associated with γ’ fibrinogen levels. These results provide
an important step in the evolution of γ’ fibrinogen not only as a general risk factor
for cardiovascular disease, but as a potentially useful biomarker for assessing a
patient’s inflammatory state and associated cardiovascular disease risk.
Keywords
Cardiovascular disease - γ’ fibrinogen - inflammation - periodontitis - risk factor