Epidemiology of Coagulation Factors, Inhibitors and Activation Markers: The Third Glasgow Monica Survey I. Illustrative Reference Ranges by Age, Sex and Hormone Use

Abstract

Summary. Coagulation factor activity (fibrinogen, VII, VIII and IX), coagulation inhibitor activity (antithrombin, protein C, protein S), and coagulation activation markers (prothrombin fragment F1, 2; thrombin-antithrombin complexes) were measured in 747 men and 817 women aged 25-74 years, randomly sampled from the north Glasgow population in the Third MONICA Survey. Significant effects of age, sex, menopause and hormone use were observed and specific reference ranges are presented to illustrate these effects. Significant correlations were observed between several coagulation factors and inhibitors. Increased levels of factors VII, VIII and IX and decreased levels of protein C were associated with increased coagulation activation. In general, increases in coagulation factors with age were greater than increases in coagulation inhibitors, especially in men; this imbalance may favour increased coagulation activation and hence increased thrombotic risk with age.

Genetic Mechanisms of Age Regulation of Protein C and Blood Coagulation

“…Our findings on the mPC levels in the liver (Fig. 1) indicate that the overall agerelated expression pattern of the mPC gene correlates well with the known age-related pattern of circulatory hPC levels in humans (3,4). Both mPC and hPC rapidly increase their expression during the perinatal stage, followed by a general agestable expression pattern.…”

“…Human PC 1 is an important component of the anticoagulation pathway, while hFIX is a key blood procoagulation factor playing critical roles in blood coagulation (8,9). Epidemiological studies showed that the activity and plasma levels of hFIX increased significantly with advancing age in normal human populations (3,10). In comparison with hFIX, the plasma levels of hPC showed only marginal age-associated changes (3,11).…”

“…Blood coagulation activity in normal humans increases with age (1)(2)(3). This is apparently due to age-related increase in disparity between procoagulation and anticoagulation activities and may have critical contributions to age-related increases in frequency of thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases (4 -7).…”

“…Epidemiological studies showed that the activity and plasma levels of hFIX increased significantly with advancing age in normal human populations (3,10). In comparison with hFIX, the plasma levels of hPC showed only marginal age-associated changes (3,11). We previously identified two genetic elements, ASE and AIE (renamed from AE 5Ј and AE 3Ј, respectively), which are required for age-related stability and increase of hFIX expression, respectively (12).…”

Effects of moderate weight loss on anginal symptoms and indices of coagulation and fibrinolysis in overweight patients with angina pectoris

“…Factor VII activity was measured using a one-stage clotting assay and rabbit thromboplastin and results were recorded as a percentage of a reference plasma pool (Lowe et al, 1997). The total plasma concentrations of t-PA antigen were determined by an ELISA (Tintelize t-PA, Biopool, Sweden).…”