BACKGROUND: Plasma fibrinogen (Fg) β-148C/T gene polymorphism is a risk factor for ischemic angiopathy. OBJECTIVE: To explore the frequency distribution of Fg β-148C/T gene polymorphism and its relationship with plasma Fg levels in patients with cerebral infarction. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Case control experiment of gene polymorphism was performed at the Central Laboratory of Qingdao University Medical College from January 2003 to June 2004. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 88 patients with cerebral infarction were recruited from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, including 52 males and 36 females, averaging (61 ± 14) years of age. In addition, 80 healthy cases served as the control group, comprising 48 males and 32 females, with an average age of (58 ± 12) years. METHODS: Blood DNA was extracted, and electrophoresis results were observed using an ultraviolet single photon image system. The frequency distribution of Fg β-148C/T was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Plasma Fg levels were measured by cerebral infarction time. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma Fg β-148C/T gene polymorphism and plasma Fg levels in patients with cerebral infarction. RESULTS: The frequency of the T allele, and plasma Fg levels in CC, CT, and CC+CT genotype subgroup, were significantly greater in the cerebral infraction group, compared with the control group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the TT genotype subgroup and the control group (P > 0.05). The plasma Fg levels in the CT, TT, and CT+TT genotype groups were significantly greater than the CC genotype group (P < 0.05). However, in the control group, plasma Fg levels in the TT genotype subgroup were significantly greater than the remaining genotype subgroups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Plasma Fg β-148C/T gene polymorphism is an important hereditary factor for differences in plasma Fg levels. The T allele plays a crucial role in influencing plasma Fg levels in cerebral infarction. Fg β-148C/T may be a susceptibility factor for cerebral infarction. BACKGROUND: Plasma fibrinogen (Fg) β-148C / T gene polymorphism is a risk factor for ischemic angiopathy. OBJECTIVE: To explore the frequency distribution of Fg β-148C / T gene polymorphism and its relationship with plasma Fg levels in patients with cerebral infarction DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Case control experiment of gene polymorphism was performed at the Central Laboratory of Qingdao University Medical College from January 2003 to June 2004. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 88 patients with cerebral infarction were recruited from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, including 52 males and 36 females, averaging (61 ± 14) years of age. In addition, 80 healthy cases served as the control group, including 48 males and 32 females, with an average age of (58 ± 12) years METHODS: Blood DNA was extracted, and electrophoresis results were observed using an ultraviolet single photon image system. The frequency distribution of Fg β-148C / T was analyzed by polymerase chai Plasma Fg β-148C / T gene polymorphism and plasma Fg levels in patients with cerebral infarction. RESULTS: The frequency of the T allele , and plasma Fg levels in CC, CT, and CC + CT genotype subgroups, were significantly greater in the cerebral infraction group, compared with the control group (P <0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the TT genotype subgroup and the plasma Fg levels in the CT, TT, and CT + TT genotype groups were significantly greater than the CC genotype group (P <0.05). However, in the control group, plasma Fg levels in the TT genotype subgroups were significantly greater than the remaining genotype subgroups (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Plasma Fg β-148C / T gene polymorphism is an important hereditary factor for differences in plasma Fg levels. The T allele plays a crucial role in inf luencing plasma Fg levels in cerebral infarction. Fg β-148C / T may be a susceptibility factor for cerebral infarction.