Comparison of intrathecally administered urokinase, tissue-type plasminogen activator, and combination of urokinase and lysine-plasminogen for clot lysis after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in dogs

A bi-functional anti-thrombosis protein containing both direct-acting fibrin(ogen)olytic and plasminogen-activating activities

Direct-acting fibrin(ogen)olytic agents such as plasmin have been proved to contain effective and safety thrombolytic potential. Unfortunately, plasmin is ineffective when administered by the intravenous route because it was neutralized by plasma antiplasmin. Direct-acting fibrin(ogen)olytic agents with resistance against antiplasmin will brighten the prospect of anti-thrombosis. As reported in 'Compendium of Materia Medica', the insect of Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker has been used as traditional anti-thrombosis medicine without bleeding risk for several hundreds years. Currently, we have identified a fibrin(ogen)olytic protein (Eupolytin1) containing both fibrin(ogen)olytic and plasminogen-activating (PA) activities from the beetle, E. sinensis.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the role of native and recombinant eupolytin1 in fibrin(ogen)olytic and plasminogen-activating processes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using thrombus animal model, eupolytin1 was proved to contain strong and rapid thrombolytic ability and safety in vivo, which are better than that of urokinase. Most importantly, no bleeding complications were appeared even the intravenous dose up to 0.12 µmol/kg body weight (3 times of tested dose which could completely lyse experimental thrombi) in rabbits. It is the first report of thrombolytic agents containing both direct-acting fibrin(ogen)olytic and plasminogen-activating activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified novel thrombolytic agent with prospecting clinical potential because of its bi-functional merits containing both plasmin- and PA-like activities and unique pharmacological kinetics in vivo.

Management of acute subdural hematomas in infants: intrathecal infusion streptokinase for clot lysis combined with subdural to subgaleal shunt

OBJECT

Subdural hematomas (SDHs) in full-term infants have the potential to cause death or lifelong disability. We report management and outcomes of eight cases of newborn with large SDH treated by streptokinase (SK) lavage and drainage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2003 and 2006, eight infants with large acute SDH with focal or diffuse hypodensity showing signs and symptoms of neurological deterioration were treated by drainage and subdural SK lavage. There were eight full-term infants, five boys and three girls, with ages between 10 days and 2 months. Head injuries were shaken baby syndrome in three cases, fall from height in three cases, caused by traffic accident in one case, and reportedly not due to trauma in one case. In all patients, SDHs were unilateral. We used a new surgical approach, SDH evacuation, involving the subdural instillation of SK for lysis and after drainage of acute SDH in infants. Follow-up in the series ranged from 1 to 42 months (average 30 months). There was no mortality in this series, neither in the early postoperative period nor in the follow-up period. Five patients of this series lead a normal life; two children were mildly neurodevelopmentally delayed.

CONCLUSION

Subdural infusion of SK followed by drainage may be as safe and effective for treatment of acute SDHs in infants as other reported methods.