Effects of porcine plasmin on the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in
humans
U Hedner, L Johansson and IM Nilsson
Pig plasmin (Lysofibrin) was given to 11 patients with phlebographically
verified venous thrombosis, 2 of whom were treated two and three 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, however, retained
its reactivity to rabbit antiserum against factor VIII. Immediately after
the plasmin infusion a decrease of both alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2-M) and
the rapidly reacting alpha2-antiplasmin was observed. alpha2-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
alpha2-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,
alpha1-antitrypsin or inter-alpha- inhibitor, was found.
Volume 51,
Issue 1,
pp. 157-164,
01/01/1978
Copyright © 1978 by The American Society of Hematology
