Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Artificial Lung Device Priming for In Situ Fiber Bundle Surface Grafting
08:53

Artificial Lung Device Priming for In Situ Fiber Bundle Surface Grafting

Published on: March 28, 2025

Plasma fibrinogen and lung function: the CARDIA Study

Bharat Thyagarajan1, David R Jacobs, George G Apostol

  • 1Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55454, USA.

International Journal of Epidemiology
|March 24, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Higher fibrinogen levels, indicating chronic inflammation, are linked to reduced lung function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume) in healthy young adults. This association suggests inflammation may impact respiratory health over time.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Inflammation Research
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Fibrinogen is a marker of chronic inflammation.
  • Chronic inflammation may negatively impact lung function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between plasma fibrinogen levels and lung function (FVC, FEV1) in healthy adults.
  • To determine if fibrinogen is an early indicator of lung function decline.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the CARDIA cohort (1985-present) including black and white men and women aged 18-30.
  • Spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC) and plasma fibrinogen levels measured at multiple time points.
  • Statistical models controlled for various demographic, lifestyle, and health factors.

Main Results:

  • Higher fibrinogen levels were associated with lower FVC and FEV1 at baseline and over time.
  • The association between fibrinogen and lung function persisted even after accounting for changes in fibrinogen.
  • The FEV1/FVC ratio showed no significant association with fibrinogen levels.

Conclusions:

  • Fibrinogen, as a marker of chronic low-grade inflammation, is associated with modest deterioration of lung function in healthy young adults.
  • These findings support the hypothesis that inflammation plays a role in respiratory health decline.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Implantation of Fibrin Gel on Mouse Lung to Study Lung-specific Angiogenesis07:52

Implantation of Fibrin Gel on Mouse Lung to Study Lung-specific Angiogenesis

Published on: December 21, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis01:16

Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis

After a fibrin clot is formed, the next step is clot retraction, a vital process facilitated by platelet contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin. These proteins pull the fibrin strands closer together and condense the clot. This action reduces the size of the clot, creating a smaller, denser structure that effectively seals off the damaged vessel. Clot retraction consolidates the clot and helps with wound healing by bringing the edges of the damaged blood vessel closer together.
Pulmonary Function Tests01:25

Pulmonary Function Tests

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction01:19

Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

A blood clot, or thrombus, is a semi-solid mass composed of fibrin, platelets, and red blood cells. When it forms within a vessel, it can obstruct blood flow, known as thrombosis. If part of the clot detaches, it becomes an embolus that can travel and block distant vessels. When this occurs in the pulmonary arteries, it causes a condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE).Origin and ImpactMost often, the embolus originates from a thrombus in the deep veins of the lower limbs, a condition called...
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction01:29

Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...