IMPAIRED FUNCTION OF FIBRINOGEN - CONSEQUENCES ON RED-CELL AGGREGATION IN DIABETES-MELLITUS

Two aspects' regarding to the functional capacity of fibrinogen for ag gregating the red cells were studied in both healthy volunteers and di abetic patients. The first one concerns the activation of the plasmino gen that is present in the plasma, thereby involving the susceptibilit y of the plasma fibrinogen to degradation and ultimately influencing t he red eel aggregation characteristics. The second aspect concerns the quality of fibrinogen and its functional capacity for aggregating red cells. This later is carried-out on isolated and purified fibrinogen from plasma. Experiments made by activating the plasminogen suggest th at fibrinogen is less degraded in the plasma of diabetic patients. On the other hand, fibrinogen when isolated from plasma samples of diabet ics, is found to be distinct from those obtained from healthy voluntee rs by its aggregative effects.