DYNAMIC CHANGES OF FIBRINOPEPTIDE-A AND FIBRINOPEPTIDE-B IN SERA OF BURN PATIENTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

In this study, dynamic changes of fibrinopeptides A and B (FPD, FPB) i n sera of burns patients are determined with an HPLC method. On this b asis detrimental effects of FPA and FPB on vascular endothelial cells (VEC) are observed in vitro. The main results are as follows: (1) FPA and FPB in 18 burn patients' sera increase at day 2 postburn, reach pe aks at days 5-7 postburn, then decline after day 15 postburn, and retu rn to the control levels at day 25 postburn. The fluctuations in FPA a nd FPB levels in burn patients' sera are parallel to the progress of b urn illness. The measurements of FPA and FPB levels in burn patients' sera may be useful in evaluating patients' condition. (2) FPA and FPB are detrimental to the cultured VEC in vitro. Characteristics of their injurious effects are: specific, irreversible and dose dependent. FPA and FPB may play an important role in endothelial injury.