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Circadian rhythms of fibrinogen and antithrombin III in liver cirrhosis

P Pasqualetti1, R Casale

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of L'Aquila, Italy.

Rivista Europea Per Le Scienze Mediche E Farmacologiche = European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences = Revue Europeenne Pour Les Sciences Medicales Et Pharmacologiques
|July 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Plasma fibrinogen and antithrombin III levels show daily circadian rhythms in healthy individuals and those with compensated liver cirrhosis. These rhythms are disrupted in decompensated cirrhosis, indicating disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Chronobiology
  • Hepatology
  • Coagulation Science

Background:

  • Acquired deficiencies of fibrinogen and antithrombin III are common in liver cirrhosis.
  • Plasma levels of these factors fluctuate throughout the day.
  • Circadian rhythms of coagulation factors in cirrhosis are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the circadian rhythms of plasma fibrinogen and antithrombin III.
  • To compare these rhythms in healthy controls, compensated cirrhosis patients, and decompensated cirrhosis patients.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 3 groups: 10 healthy controls, 10 compensated cirrhosis, 10 decompensated cirrhosis patients.
  • Measured plasma fibrinogen and antithrombin III every 3 hours over 24 hours.
  • Analyzed time-series data using the mean-group cosinor method.

Main Results:

  • Significant circadian rhythms for fibrinogen and antithrombin III were found in healthy controls and compensated cirrhosis patients (peaks in afternoon).
  • No significant circadian rhythms were detected in decompensated cirrhosis patients.
  • Significant differences in circadian rhythms were observed between all three groups for fibrinogen and between controls and both cirrhosis groups for antithrombin III.

Conclusions:

  • Healthy individuals exhibit daily circadian rhythms for plasma fibrinogen and antithrombin III.
  • Liver cirrhosis is associated with chronobiological alterations in the coagulation system.
  • The degree of circadian rhythm derangement correlates with the stage of liver cirrhosis, potentially serving as an indicator of disease progression.
Abstract

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