J Korean Med Sci.  1993 Apr;8(2):117-120. 10.3346/jkms.1993.8.2.117.

The thrombolytic effect of lumbrokinase is not as potent as urokinase in a rabbit cerebral embolism model

• Kim JS
• Kang JK
• Chang HC
• Lee MH
• Kim GS
• Lee DK
• Kim ST
• Kim M
• Park SY

• KMID: 1421962
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.1993.8.2.117

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to determine whether lumbrokinase has an in vivo thrombolytic effect in a rabbit cerebral embolism model. In our previous studies, we found that lumbrokinase, an extract from Korean earth worms, has a strong in vitro fibrinolytic effect without the presence of plasminogen and significant in vivo thrombolytic effects of lumbrokinase in a rat human-clot-induced cerebral embolism model. We established the cerebral embolism model in rabbits by injecting a piece of human clot into the internal carotid artery via the external carotid artery and confirmed the occlusion with angiography. Twenty one rabbits were divided into three groups and 5cc of saline, urokinase of 50,000 u/ml, and equipotent LK were injected intraarterially for 30 minutes into each group of 7 animals. Ten minutes after the end of infusion, an angiogram was performed to confirm the recanalization. Clot lysis occurred in one, six, and one animals in the saline, urokinase and lumbrokinase treated groups respectively. With regard to its in vitro effect, lumbrokinase is not as potent in vivo. Further investigation should be performed to determine the cause of its weakened in vivo effect and to develop a method to potentiate it.

Keyword

Lumbrokinase; thrombolytic effect; cerebral embolic model

MeSH Terms

Animals
Endopeptidases/*therapeutic use
Fibrinolytic Agents/*therapeutic use
Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis/*drug therapy
Rabbits
*Thrombolytic Therapy
Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator/*therapeutic use
Endopeptidases
Fibrinolytic Agents
Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator