Viscosimetric effect of fibrinogen

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Hematology
• Rheology

Background:

• Fibrinogen is a key protein in blood coagulation.
• Plasma and serum viscosity are important hemorheological parameters.
• Understanding their interrelation is crucial for physiological and pathological states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the correlation between fibrinogen concentration and both plasma and serum viscosity.
• To explore this relationship across different physiological and pathological conditions.

Main Methods:

• Paired measurements of plasma viscosity and serum viscosity were conducted.
• The study included 45 subjects with a wide range of fibrinogen levels.
• Analysis involved comparing viscosity measurements with fibrinogen concentrations.

Main Results:

• A strong correlation was observed between plasma/serum viscosity and fibrinogen in subjects with normal serum viscosity.
• This correlation was less apparent in conditions like myeloma or macroglobulinaemia.
• An exponential correlation model revealed a consistent relationship between fibrinogen and viscosity in both normal and abnormal states.

Conclusions:

• An exponential correlation exists between plasma and serum viscosity, directly influenced by plasma fibrinogen concentration.
• This finding is consistent with Arrhenius's formula, describing the behavior of solutions with varying concentrations.
• The study highlights the significant role of fibrinogen in determining blood viscosity.