EFFECTS OF PORCINE PLASMIN ON COAGULATION AND FIBRINOLYTIC SYSTEMS IN HUMANS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 51  (1) , 157-164
Abstract
Pig plasmin (Lysofibrin) was given to 11 patients with phlebographically verified venous thrombosis, 2 of whom were treated 2 and 3 times, respectively. The effect on coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters was studied. The platelet count, Owren''s P&P (prothrombin plus factors VII and X), plasminogen, factor XIII and antithrombin III did not change during the treatment. All patients developed a proteolytic activity demonstrable on both unheated and heated fibrin plates. The fibrinogen decreased successively to very low levels, and parallel to this an increase in fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products was found. The factor VIII and factor V activities decreased immediately after each Lysofibrin infusion but normalized rapidly again. The factor VIII molecule retained its reactivity to rabbit antiserum against factor VIII. Immediately after the plasmin infusion a decrease of both .alpha.2-macroglobulin (.alpha.2-M) and the rapidly reacting .alpha.2-antiplasmin was observed. .alpha.2-M decreased successively and in several of the patients values were unmeasurable for a period of some days. A complex formation between pig plasmin and the .alpha.2-antiplasmin was demonstrated in crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The complexes were rapidly cleared from the circulation. No interaction between the pig plasmin and the inhibitor of the plasminogen activation, .alpha.1-antitrypsin or inter-.alpha.-inhibitor, was found.