Studies on the Thrombolytic Activity of a Protease from Aspergillus Oryzae

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Abstract
The fungal protease was administered intravenously in repeated doses to cats. The effect on clotting time, fibrinogen level, fibrinolytic and activator activity, and serum inhibitor activity of each dose was determined. It is concluded that doses of the enzyme which do not overcome the natural inhibitor capacity of the animals have no untoward effects on these parameters. Over‐dosage has, however, fatal consequences. Using tolerable doses, evidence was obtained for in vivo lysis of experimental venous thrombi. The assumption is advanced that a reversible complex between the enzyme and one of the plasma inhibitors is responsible for the in vivo thrombolytic effect. When in contact with fibrin, the protease I is competitively removed from the complex finally resulting in a dissolution of the clot.