Fibrinogen gene polymorphism (Bβ-148C/T) in Uygur patients with cerebral infarction

Objective: To explore the frequency distribution of the fibrinogen gene polymorphism (B beta-148C/T) and its relationship with plasma fibrinogen (Fg) level in Uygur patients with cerebral infarction in Xinjiang. Methods: The frequency distribution of FgB beta-148C/T was analysed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in the Uygur cerebral infarction group (n = 62) and the Uygur control group without cerebral infarction (n = 64). Plasma fibrinogen levels were measured by the automatic coagulation analyser. Results: The frequency of the T allele in the cerebral infarction group was significantly higher than that of the control group (0.31 versus 0.19, p < 0.05). The plasma fibrinogen level of the cerebral infarction group was also significantly higher than that of the control group (4.19 +/- 1.29 g/l versus 3.08 +/- 0.56 g/l, p < 0.01). The plasma fibrinogen levels in both CT and TT genotype subgroups in patients with cerebral infarction were higher than those in the CC genotype subgroups (p < 0.01). They were also higher than those in the CT and TT genotype subgroups within the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The fibrinogen gene polymorphism (B beta-148C/T) affects plasma fibrinogen concentration. T allele, alone or cooperating with other risk factors, increases the plasma fibrinogen level. Thus, the fibrinogen gene polymorphism (B beta-148C/T) may be related with cerebral infarction. T allele may be a risk factor for cerebral infarction by increasing the plasma fibrinogen level. The above conclusion is in accordance with similar studies on the Han nationality in China. [Neurol Res 2009; 31: 381-384]