A Study on the DNA Polymorphisms at $\beta$fibrinogen Loci and Plasma Fibrinogen Concentration

Many prospective studies have confirmed the predictive value of plasma fibrinogen levels for vascular diseases, including ischemic heart disease. Several polymorphisms of the $\beta$fibrinogen gene have been investigated in relation to plasma fibrinogen levels. The blood samples for DNA were collected from 109 healthy Koreans who have no relationship by blood (67 males and 42 females) in due consideration of some other factors such as gender, age, and smoking status. Four polymorphisms of the $\beta$fibrinogen gene that consist of HaeIII, AluI, MaII and BcII restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were investigated to examine the associations between RFLPs and plasma fibrinogen levels. In conclusion, the significant associations between HaeIII, AluI, MnII RFLPs(H$_1$H$_2$, M$_1$M$_2$, $A_1$A$_2$) and the concentration of plasma fibrinogen were shown by the smokers as well as by the old people more than 50, whereas the association between BcII and plasma fibrinogen were shown no connection with the status of age and smoking. The concentration of plasma fibrinogen was significantly shown higher by the old people ($\geqq$50) by the younger people ($\leqq$49) in male and also higher by the smokers than by the nonsmokers.