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Thrombosis Journal
Published in: Thrombosis Journal 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Research

The association of alcohol with circulating total fibrinogen and plasma clot density is mediated by fibrinogen and FXIII genotypes

Authors: Petro Hannie Rautenbach, Cornelie Nienaber-Rousseau, Marlien Pieters

Published in: Thrombosis Journal | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Alcohol consumption is associated with haemostasis and so may influence cardiovascular conditions. It is unknown whether the association of alcohol with total and γ’ fibrinogen concentrations, as well as clot structure, are modulated by fibrinogen and factor (F) XIII single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Methods

Total fibrinogen, γ’ fibrinogen and clot properties of 2010 healthy Africans residing in South Africa were measured in relation to alcohol intake as well as its markers – gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), percentage carbohydrate deficient transferrin (%CDT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Fourteen fibrinogen and two SNPs in the FXIII gene were genotyped to determine their influence.

Results

Alcohol intake and its markers correlated negatively with fibrinogen and clot lysis time (CLT) as well as with most of the clot properties. Percentage γ’ fibrinogen correlated positively with AST and negatively with alcohol intake. We then stratified for alcohol intake and found inverse associations between γ’ fibrinogen and both %CDT and GGT–CDT in consumers, but the positive association with AST remained only in abstainers. Alcohol intake and its markers modulated the influence of fibrinogen SNPs on total fibrinogen concentrations and the fibrinogen SNPs as well as an FXIII SNP on clot density (all p < 0.004).

Conclusion/s

We show for the first time that some individuals harbour certain genotypes that, in combination with alcohol consumption, might predispose or protect them from haemostatic factors that might lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. Studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms related to the interplay between alcohol and the gene variants observed here.
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Metadata
Title
The association of alcohol with circulating total fibrinogen and plasma clot density is mediated by fibrinogen and FXIII genotypes
Authors
Petro Hannie Rautenbach
Cornelie Nienaber-Rousseau
Marlien Pieters
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Thrombosis Journal / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1477-9560
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12959-020-00249-4

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