[State of the thrombin-plasmin system in nephrotoxic nephritis treated with heparin, urokinase, and uroplasmin]

The state of thrombin-plasmin system was studied in 34 rabbits with Masuga nephritis untreated or treated with the use of heparin, urokinase, and uroplasmin. The untreated animals developed long-term activation of thrombinogenesis (hypercoagulation) with simultaneous inhibition of fibrinolysis accompanied by deposition of fibrin-postive substances in the lumens of capillaries and glomerular capsules, along basal membranes, and inside epithelial and endothelial cells. Heparin inoculated prophylactically prevented the development of nephritis and typical changes in the thrombin-plasmin system. Treatment with heparin, urokinase or uroplasmin produced regression of nephritis, elimination of fibrin-positive substances from the kidneys and gradual complete normalization of the functional status of the thrombin-plasmin system. It is suggested that not only heparin but also urokinase and uroplasmin can inhibit the immune process. The experimental results favours the immunocoagulation theory of nephritis pathogenesis.