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Activities of antiplasmin and antiplasminogen activator in serous middle ear effusions
Abstract:
Antiplasmin and antiplasminogen activator activities in serous middle ear effusion (MEE) collected from adult patients were measured to analyze the kinetics of antifibrinolytic activity of protease inhibitors. No trypsin, plasmin, and plasminogen activator (PA) activity could be detected in the pooled serous MEE by either the fibrin plate method or the fluorometric assay. Antiplasmin activity in serous MEE was lower than that in plasma. The MEE had no antiurokinase activity. These findings indicate that 1) serous MEE has residual antifibrinolytic activity which may be attributed to mainly antiplasmin activity of unsaturated plasmin inhibitors and not to anti-PA activity, and 2) that serous MEE contains no secretory urokinase inhibitors.
Insights
Serous middle ear effusion (MEE) shows low antifibrinolytic activity, primarily from antiplasmin, not plasminogen activator inhibitors. This indicates a lack of secretory urokinase inhibitors in MEE.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Protease inhibitors play a role in regulating fibrinolysis.
- Middle ear effusion (MEE) is a fluid accumulation in the middle ear, common in otitis media.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antifibrinolytic activity in serous middle ear effusion (MEE).
- To analyze the kinetics of protease inhibitors, specifically antiplasmin and antiplasminogen activator activities in MEE.
Main Methods:
- Collected serous MEE from adult patients.
- Measured antiplasmin and antiplasminogen activator (PA) activities using fibrin plate and fluorometric assays.
- Assessed antiurokinase activity.
Main Results:
- No trypsin, plasmin, or PA activity was detected in pooled serous MEE.
- Antiplasmin activity in MEE was found to be lower compared to plasma.
- No antiurokinase activity was observed in the serous MEE.
Conclusions:
- Serous MEE exhibits residual antifibrinolytic activity, mainly due to antiplasmin from unsaturated plasmin inhibitors.
- The study concludes that serous MEE lacks secretory urokinase inhibitors.