Fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase for established experimental glomerulonephritis

The efficacy of fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase was assessed in rabbits developing anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody induced glomerulonephritis. Untreated animals developed renal failure (mean creatinine 615 +/- 120 microM/l) and a severe glomerulonephritis with prominent fibrin deposition. Streptokinase treatment of animals with established disease (creatinine 204 +/- 35 microM/l) reduced renal impairment (creatinine 256 +/- 68 microM/l, p less than 0.025) and fibrin deposition. Treatment of more advanced disease (creatinine 416 +/- 68 microM/l) did not preserve renal function (creatinine, 518 +/- 106 microM/l), although glomerular fibrin deposition was reduced. These studies indicate that fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase reduces glomerular fibrin deposition and, if used early, protects from loss of renal function.