Activation of Hageman Factor (Factor XII) by Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids

Abstract
1. Long-chain saturated fatty acids accelerate the clotting of blood by activating Hageman factor (HF, factor XII). Their effect is proportional to their chain length. 2. The hypothesis is discussed that long-chain saturated fatty acids in the circulating blood of man may exert a similar effect, and may thus be one of the factors in the etiology of clinical thrombosis. * Presented in part at meeting of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Atlantic City, N.J., USA, April 16, 1963.