The comeback of hirudin--an old-established anticoagulant agent
Review published in Folia Haematol Int Mag Klin Morphol Blutforsch (1988)
Abstract
Early studies dating back to 1884 revealed that extracts from medicinal leeches contain a substance which is able to prevent blood from clotting. Since our successful isolation of hirudin, the pure anticoagulant substance, in the late 1950s and its characterization as a selective thrombin inhibitor with polypeptide structure, hirudin preparations have been employed for diagnostic and scientific uses in haemostaseology. As early as 25 years ago we have shown in experimental pharmacotoxicological studies that hirudin is an anticoagulant of high quality. The antithrombotic effect of hirudin was demonstrated in several thrombosis models. But the clinical use of hirudin remained limited since it was not available in adequate amounts for therapeutic purposes. One hundred years after its discovery there is a renewed interest in this naturally occurring thrombin inhibitor. Advanced methods of peptide isolation and genetic engineering are about to provide sufficient quantities of hirudin in purified form. This prompted us to resume our investigations in hirudin and to represent new experimental and clinical pharmacological studies with natural hirudin prepared from medicinal leeches and genetically engineered recombinant hirudin, thus appreciating the comeback of hirudin into the focus of interest.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Резюме
Markwardt's historical review of hirudin isolated by his group in the late 1950s; advanced methods of peptide isolation and genetic engineering enabled the renewed interest 100 years after its discovery.
Почему это важно для гирудотерапии
This article traces the history of hirudin from its 1884 discovery through its isolation in the late 1950s and characterization as a selective thrombin inhibitor with polypeptide structure, noting its use in diagnostic and scientific haemostaseology and its demonstrated antithrombotic effect in thrombosis models. Clinical use was historically limited by insufficient availability, but advanced methods of peptide isolation and genetic engineering are described as enabling adequate production quantities, prompting renewed interest. The article represents new experimental and clinical pharmacological studies with both natural hirudin from medicinal leeches and genetically engineered recombinant hirudin. As hirudin is an anticoagulant substance derived from medicinal leeches, this work is relevant to ASH's domain. However, the article's scope is limited to hirudin specifically rather than the full range of bioactive leech salivary molecules, and details of the represented studies are not elaborated in the abstract.
Цитирование
Связанный клинический контекст
Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой
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