To examine population mean variations in plasma fibrinogen and fibrinolytic variables, and their rela tions with cardiovascular risk characteristics among Japanese middle-aged men, a cross-sectional study was conducted for a total of 245 men aged 50-59 years in three population-based samples : residents in rural communities of northeast and central Japan and urban white-collar workers.

Age-adjusted mean value of plasma fibrinogen, tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA antigen), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 antigen (PAI-1 antigen) did not differ significantly among the populations.

Mean value of tissue plasminogen activator activity (t-PA activity) was lower in central rural residents than in northeast rural men.

According to multiple linear regression analyses, there were positive associations of t-PA and PAI-1 antigens with serum triglyceride levels, serum insulin and waist-hip ratio within each population and the total samples.

A positive association between these fibrinolytic variables and usual ethanol intake was also observed.

Smoking was significantly associated with plasma fibrinogen and PAI-1 antigen but not with t-PA antigen or activity, Activity of t-PA was inversely associated with body mass index, and a mean difference in t-PA activity was in part explained by a mean difference in body mass index. (...)