[Functional capacity of fibrinogen and erythrocyte aggregation in the diabetic]

The aim of this work is to study the possible influence of a qualitative modification of fibrinogen on its capacity of erythrocyte aggregation. Fibrinogens were isolated and then purified from blood sample of 15 insulin-dependent diabetics and of 7 healthy subjects. The erythrocyte aggregative effect of the purified fibrinogens was measured for various concentrations (0 g/1-5 g/l). The erythrocyte aggregation was determined by the ECHO CELL whose functioning principle is based upon ultrasonic interferometry. Results allow one to distinguish three kinds of fibrinogen: the first kind inducing a similar erythrocyte aggregation as that obtained by the fibrinogens from healthy subjects, the second kind inducing an erythrocyte hyperaggregation, the third kind inducing an erythrocyte hypoaggregation. Thus the possibility of a qualitative abnormality of fibrinogen, affecting its erythrocyte aggregative capacity in diabetic patients, could be suggested. This qualitative abnormality of fibrinogen might be due to a modification of its molecular structure because of an abnormal elevated glycation during diabetes.