Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Experimental and Imaging Techniques for Examining Fibrin Clot Structures in Normal and Diseased States
Published on: April 1, 2015
Fibrinogen Structural Changes and Their Potential Role in Endometriosis-Related Thrombosis
Eleonora Fini1, Flavia Rita Argento1, Serena Borghi1
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italy.
Endometriosis patients show increased oxidative stress, altering fibrinogen structure and function. These changes promote a pro-thrombotic state, potentially increasing thrombosis risk in women with endometriosis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic inflammatory condition linked to higher thrombosis risk.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying this increased thrombotic risk in EM are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate structural and functional changes in fibrinogen in women with endometriosis.
- To explore the role of oxidative stress in these fibrinogen alterations and their association with thrombosis.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study comparing 71 EM patients and 71 controls.
- Measured oxidative stress markers (ROS, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant capacity).
- Analyzed fibrinogen structure (circular dichroism, fluorescence) and function (thrombin-induced polymerization, plasmin-induced lysis).
Main Results:
- EM patients exhibited elevated oxidative stress and ROS production compared to controls.
- Fibrinogen in EM patients showed oxidative modifications and structural changes.
- These alterations resulted in impaired fibrin polymerization and increased resistance to plasmin lysis, indicating a pro-thrombotic state.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress-induced fibrinogen modifications may contribute to the elevated thrombotic risk in women with endometriosis.
- Targeting these fibrinogen changes could be a therapeutic strategy to reduce cardiovascular complications in EM.
Related Concept Videos
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which...
Oogenesis
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH...

