Human plasminogen is a β-globulin (2 % carbohydrate, molecular weight 90 KD), which in its native form has NH₂-terminal glutamic acid (Glu-plasminogen) whose primary structure is known (31, 37, 38). From human plasma plasminogen can easily be isolated by affinity chromatography techniques (10, 25, and Table 1). Plasminogen is synthesized in many organs. The production site of the zymogen may be the liver (21), the eosinophiles (3) or the kindney (15). The plasma-plasminogen level is low in newborns (22) and even lower in the premature infant (2). In healthy adults it is found in plasma or serum in a concentration of 200 mg/l (= 2 μM, 22, 39). The half-life of the native (Glu-) plasminogen is 2.24 ± 0.29 days (6). Two types of Glu-plasminogen occur in human plasma, which differ in their carbohydrate composition as well as in their content of sialic acid. Genetic variants (see Mayr, 3.1.); of plasminogen have been reported (16) after isoelectric focusing of human plasma in polyacrylamide gels. Three patterns were found, two completely different and the third most likely a mixture of the other two. Characteristical functional properties of plasminogen are related to its molecular structure, e.g. its in vivo specificity for fibrin in contrast to the fairly unspecific in vitro activity of plasmin. Glu-plasminogen is easily converted by limited plasmic digestion to modified forms with NH₂-terminal lysine, valine or methionine (35, 36), which are commonly designated Lys-plasminogen” (26) displaying a plasma half-life time of 0,8 days (6). Lys-plasminogen forms are easily converted to plasmin which results in the formation of two-chain molecule (Lys-plasmin) from the single-chain monomer (zymogen).

SummaryThis study was performed to evaluate the influence of different routes of administration on the efficacy of DDAVP treatment. Ten healthy volunteers received DDAVP intranasally (i.n.), subcutaneously (s.c.) and intravenously (i.v.) in a randomized cross-over trial. Factor XII and high molecular weight (HMW)-kininogen levels increased only slightly after DDAVP administration. The mean increase of factor VIII: C was 3.1 (i. v.), 2.3 (s. c.), and 1.3 (i.n.) - fold over baseline. Ristocetin cofactor (von Willebrand factor antigen) increased 3.1 (2.5), 2.0 (2.3) and 1.2 (1.2) - fold over baseline mean values after i.v., s.c. and i.n. DDAVP, respectively. The half-disappearance time of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (vWF) after DDAVP ranged from five (factor VIII: C) to eight hours (vWF). The mean increase of fibrinolytic activity was more pronounced after i.v. DDAVP. The antidiuretic effect was moderate with no apparent differences between the routes of application. This study provides further evidence that both i.v. and s.c. DDAVP administration result in an appropriate and reliable stimulation of haemostasis. An additional advantage of s. c. administration is its suitability for home treatment.

SummaryFactor VIII :C recovery and half-life was measured in 16 hemophilia A patients under comprehensively standardized conditions. Each patient received the same lot of a steam-treated high purity FVIII concentrate at a dose of 19-33 U/kg body weight. A comparison was made between the one-stage assay, the two-stage assay and a chromogenic substrate test for FVIII :C determination using a FXa-sensitive chromogenic substrate. Factor VIII :C potency of the administered FVIII concentrate was measured using calibration curves derived from a concentrate standard and FVIII: C plasma levels were read from calibration curves derived from a plasma standard. The chromogenic assay showed a good reproducibility at FVIII: C levels between 0.015 and 0.50 U/ml. The FVIII :C recoveries calculated from the results of the one-stage assay, the two-stage assay and the chromogenic substrate test were 109 ± 20, 92 ± 14 and 81 ± 11% (x ± SD), respectively. The elimination half-lives of FVIII :C were calculated by non-linear least square analysis using a modified computerized Gauss-Newton algorithm. The half-lives calculated from the FVIII: C plasma levels measured by the one-stage assay, the two-stage assay and the chromogenic test were 23.8 ± 6.4, 22.2 ± 5.7 and 17.1 ± 4.8 h (x ± SD), respectively. No previous study has reported such long half-life values. Our findings indicate that measurements of recoveries and half-lives by the chromogenic FVIII :C assay and by computerized nonlinear least square analysis allow the possibility of individualized FVIII replacement therapy.

No abstract

No abstract

During a survey of four month’s duration the following parameters were determined in 43 healthy blood donors (22 males, 21 females; mean age 29 years /20 – 49/): plasminogen activity, plasminogen concentration, α₂-antiplasmin (α₂-AP) activity, α₂-AP concentration, tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity, t-PA concentration, plasminogen activator inhibitor – I (PAI-I) activity, AT III activity, AT III concentration and heparin cofactor II (HC II) activity. Normal values including standard deviation (x ± 2s) were: plasminogen activity: 96.3 % (65.9 – 126.8), plasminogen concentration: 12.2 mg/dl (7.7 – 16.8), α₂-APactivity: 99.9 % (83.8 – 116), α₂-APconcentration: 108.1% (84.5 -131.8), t-PA activity: 0.85 IU/1 (0.0 – 1.92), t-PA concentration: 10.3 ng/ml (2.5 – 18.1), PAI-I activity: 15.2 AU/ml, AT III activity: 111.4 % (87.8 – 134.9), AT III concentration: 31.6 mg/dl (24.2 – 39.1) and HC II activity: 110.7 % (81.4 – 140.0). Concerning plasminogen values no sex related difference could be stated. Women who were smokers and used oral contraceptives tended to present elevated t-PA activity levels due to a lower activity of PAI-I, although this tendency was not significant. Determining concentration and activity of components in the fibrinolytic system plays an important part in the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of thrombophilic disorders.

Factor IX (FIX) recovery and half-life was measured in ten hemophilia B patients under standardized conditions. Each patient received a steam-treated high-purity factor IX concentrate at a dose of 19-39 U/kg body weight. FIX activity was determined using a one-stage assay, which was calibrated against the international concentrate standard (reagents from Immuno, Heidelberg). The in vivo recovery ranged from 24% to 53% (mean value 37.7%) and the half-disappearance time (HDT) from 8-30 h (mean 16.7 h). In four of the ten patients, the distribution and elimination half-lives were estimated and ranged from 0.3 h to 3.9 h (mean 1.4 h) and from 28.6 h to 39.7 h (mean 33.1 h), respectively. In six patients FIX was redetermined using a different FIX deficient plasma and a plasma standard (reagents from Merz & Dade, Munich, FRG). Recoveries and HDT based on the results obtained with this method were significantly higher (68.2% vs 39.7%; p less than 0.05), and longer (14.8 h vs 10.6 h; p less than 0.05), respectively. FIX activity was also measured by both assay systems in 100 healthy subjects (50 males, 50 females). The reagents from Immuno yielded a mean value of 0.77 U/ml, while the mean FIX activity utilizing standards and reagents from Merz & Dade was 1.11 U/ml (p less than 0.000001). The coefficient of correlation between the FIX activity measurements, as determined in 100 healthy subjects and 6 hemophilia B patients using the different test systems, was r = 0.9 (N = 159; y = 0.08 +/- 1.3* chi; p less than 0.001). Our data suggest that recovery and HDT of factor IX concentrate strongly depend on the assay and calibration conditions and that an international FIX activity plasma standard is urgently required.

We report the results of two consecutive studies using intravenous bolus injections of streptokinase (SK) or acylated plasminogen-SK complex (BRL 26921) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In the first study, 20 patients received either 750,000 units (U) SK (group IA, n = 10) or 1,500,000 U SK (group IB, n = 10) within 5–10 min intravenously. In the second study 10 consecutive patients received 750,000 U SK within 15 min (group IIA) intravenously. The following 10 consecutive patients received 30 mg BRL 26921 within 2 min (group IIB). Early reperfusion was found in 16 patients in the first study (8 in each group) and in 18 patients in the second study (9 in each group). The decrease of fibrinolytic activity was biphasic with a half-disappearance time of 112.5 min for BRL 26921 and 31 (IA) and 18 (IB) min for SK. α₂-Antiplasmin depletion and a decrease of fibrinogen was observed with no differences after bolus injections of SK and of BRL 26921.