Previous studies
have identified fibrinogen as a risk factor as powerful as
cholesterol in producing ischemic events. Interaction of
platelets with fibrinogen mediates a variety of responses including
adhesion, platelet aggregation and fibrin clot retraction.
We have also found decreased levels of factor V
in VCO and SFO fed animals compared to CO fed group. Factor
V, a large single chain plasma glycoproteins is an essential
component of blood coagulation cascade and also an
independent risk factor for myocardial infarction. During
coagulation, factor V is converted to active co-factor, factor
Va which combines with Xa and assemble to form prothrombinase
complex, which converts prothrombin to
thrombin.