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Thromb Haemost 1984; 52(03): 263-266
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1661192
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Protein C Antigen Is Not an Acute Phase Reactant and Is often High in Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetes

S Viganò
1   The A. Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Centre and Third Institute of Clinical Medicine, Maggiore Hospital, Milano
,
P M Mannucci
1   The A. Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Centre and Third Institute of Clinical Medicine, Maggiore Hospital, Milano
,
A D’Angelo
1   The A. Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Centre and Third Institute of Clinical Medicine, Maggiore Hospital, Milano
,
C Gelfi
1   The A. Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Centre and Third Institute of Clinical Medicine, Maggiore Hospital, Milano
,
G F Gensini
2   The First Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Firenze, Italy
,
C Rostagno
2   The First Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Firenze, Italy
,
G G Neri Serneri
2   The First Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Firenze, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 12 March 1984

Accepted 20 August 1984

Publication Date:
19 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

Protein C, an antithrombotic protein, was measured immunologically in 299 patients with clinical conditions associated with a high frequency of venous or arterial thromboembolism. The mean protein C antigen (PC: Ag) level was high for 48 patients with ischemic heart disease and, to a lesser extent, for 95 diabetics. In 28 patients with thrombotic strokes, 48 patients with proximal deep-vein thrombosis and in 80 patients with localized or metastatic tumors, mean PC: Ag was normal. Comparison of the pattern of changes of PC: Ag levels with those of fibrinogen, orosomucoid and prothrombin in 21 patients during the postoperative period and in 20 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis ruled out the possibility that high PC: Ag is non-specific, acute-phase reaction to inflammation, tissue injury or neoplastic growth. Therefore, high PC:Ag might be specifically related to the thrombotic tendency of these patients, but the mechanism of such a relationship remains to be clarified.

Key words

Protein C - Deep-vein thrombosis - Tumors - Stroke-diabetes - Ischemic heart disease - Acute phase reactions
 

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