Racial and genetic determinants of plasma factor XIII activity

Factor XIII (F XIII), a plasma transglutaminase, is essential for normal hemostasis and fibrinolysis. Plasma F XIII consists of two catalytic A (F XIIIA) and two non-catalytic B (F XIIIB) subunits. Activated F XIII is involved in the formation of fibrin gel by covalently crosslinking fibrin monomers. As the characteristics of the fibrin gel structure have been shown to be associated with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), F XIII activity may play a seminal role in its etiology. In this investigation, we determined plasma F XIII activity in two racial groups, including Asian Indians (n = 258) and Chinese (n = 385). Adjusted plasma F XIII activity was significantly higher in Indian men (142 vs. 110%; P