Anticoagulants and inhibitors of platelet aggregation derived from leeches

FEBS Letters

Salzet, Michel¹ 

[1] Laboratoire d'Endocrinologie et Immunité des Annélides, UPRESA CNRS 8017, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, SN3, F-59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France

关键词: Anticoagulant;    Leech;    Platelet aggregation inhibitor;   

DOI  :  10.1016/S0014-5793(01)02212-8

学科分类：生物化学/生物物理

来源: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

Increased life expectancy is associated with aging populations in the developed countries, and we can expect an increased incidence of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases and cancers. A priority for medical research is to reduce such morbidity. Leeches have been demonstrated to be a useful source of drugs to treat cardiovascular diseases, as they have evolved highly specific mechanisms to feed on their hosts by blocking blood coagulation. Powerful molecules acting at different points in the coagulation cascade or in the inhibition of platelet aggregation have been purified from these animals. Moreover, clinical trials confirm their potential to treat cardiovascular diseases.

【 授权许可】

Unknown