Turkish Journal of Hematology, cilt.25, sa.3, ss.133-135, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: Protein Z (PZ) plays an enhancer role in coagulation as an anticoagulant. In this study G79A polymorphism was investigated in Turkish pediatric stroke patients. Material and Methods: Ninety-one pediatric stroke patients with cerebral ischemia and 70 control subjects were analyzed for PZ G79A and also factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin (PT) mutations. Results: PZ 79 'A' allele in homozygous state was found in five patients (5.5%), while it was found in only one control subject (1.4%), and it appeared to be a risk factor for pediatric ischemia [OR=3.94 (0.44-35.1)]. When patients and controls who had FVL and PT carriers were excluded, AA genotype carried a risk [OR=3.88 (0.41-36.5)]. In addition, plasma PZ levels were measured in 21 stroke patients and 52 controls. Plasma PZ levels were not different between stroke patients (501,0 ngml-1 ± 158,3 ngml-1) and controls (447,3 ngml-1 ± 166,0 ngm)-1). However, the plasma levels of PZ were decreased in patients with AA genotype. This is the first study in which G79A polymorphism was investigated in Turkish pediatric stroke patients. Conclusion: Our data showed that carrying 79 AA genotype could be a genetic risk factor for cerelaral infarct in pediatric patients.