Plasma concentrations of fibrinopeptide A and fibrinopeptide B beta 15-42 in glomerulonephritis and the nephrotic syndrome.

Plasma fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and fibrinopeptide B beta 15-42 concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay in 46 patients with glomerulonephritis and the nephrotic syndrome. An increase in plasma FPA and B beta 15-42 levels was noted in these patients; this increase was marked in the nephrotic patients. There was a positive correlation in these patients between plasma FPA and B beta 15-42 levels. The B beta 15-42/FPA ratio was significantly higher in nonnephrotic patients compared with controls. Intravascular coagulation with subsequent fibrinolysis to regulate fibrin formation may occur in patients. A positive correlation was found between plasma B beta 15-42 level and serum urea nitrogen or serum creatinine concentration, suggesting that plasma B beta 15-42 level is influenced not only by plasmin action, but also by renal dysfunction.