Introduction: Factor XIII (FXIII) is a key regulator of fibrinolysis and clot firmness. Val34Leu polymorphism of its potentially active A subunit (FXIII-A) leads to faster activation of FXIII, influences clot structure and provides a moderate protection against coronary artery disease. The effect of FXIII A subunit (FXIII-A) Val34Leu polymorphism on the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) has been investigated in a few studies with contradictory results. In spite of their fundamental difference in pathogenesis and hemostatic pathomechanism, only four small studies investigated the effect of FXIII-A Val34Leu polymorphism on the risk of atherothrombotic IS (AIS) separately from cardioembolic IS. Gender specific effect of the polymorphism on the risk of AIS has not been explored. In the present study we investigated the effect of FXIII-A Val34Leu polymorphism on the risk of AIS on a large patient population.
Materials and methods: A population control group of 1,146 randomly selected individuals, 496 patients surviving AIS and their age and sex-matched controls selected from the population control group were included in the study. FXIII-A Val34Leu genotype was determined on DNA samples, obtained from peripheral blood leukocytes, by fluorescence resonance energy transfer detection using melting curve analysis.
Results: Neither sex nor age affected the distribution of FXIII-A Val34Leu genotypes in population control group. No association was revealed between the risk of AIS and FXIII-A Leu34 carriership and homozygous or heterozygous presentation of Leu34 allele in either gender.
Conclusion: FXIII-A Val34Leu polymorphism fails to influence the risk of AIS.
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