Comparison by sex between thrombin generation and fibrin network characteristics in a healthy population

• Thrombin generation was increased in women compared to men.
• Fibrin formation was similar in men and women.
• Clot rate formation correlated with peak height, ETP and LT of thrombin generation.
• Fibrinogen correlated with clot rate, maximum absorbance and elastic modulus.

BackgroundThe aim of the present work was to compare sex differences in thrombin generation and fibrin network characteristics in a young healthy population, and correlate thrombin generation parameters with fibrin network characteristics.MethodsSixty individuals aged 21 y (18–26), 50% men and 50% women were selected. Thrombin generation was performed with the Technothrombin® TGA kit. Plasma fibrin formation kinetic was followed by turbidity at 350 nm, and the fibrin elastic modulus was measured with the Hemodyne®. In addition, the prothrombin polymorphism G20210A was assessed.ResultsThrombin generation in men was: lag time (LT): 12.5 ± 3.0 min, peak thrombin: 257 ± 135 nmol/l, and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP): 3459 ± 449 nmol/l·min, while in women the LT was shortened (9.7 ± 2.8 min, p < 0.05) and thrombin formation increased (peak thrombin: 345 ± 178 nmol/l and ETP: 4017 ± 429 nmol/l·min, p < 0.05). Prothrombin and fibrinogen plasma levels were similar between sexes, and the GG genotype of prothrombin G20210A polymorphism (rs1799963) had a frequency of 1. In women, fibrin formation was slightly faster and the elastic modulus was higher than men.ConclusionsThe differences in thrombin generation between women and men were not related to prothrombin concentration, prothrombin polymorphism G20210A or fibrinogen concentration.