Abstract

To evaluate the thrombolytic activity of streptokinase-dextran conjugate, a rat model of arterial thrombosis was used. Briefly, the femoral artery was exposed and a filter paper saturated with 70% $FeCl_3$ solution was placed around the femoral artery in order to stop the blood flow. Six minutes after the stop of the blood flow in the femoral artery, streptokinase $(10000{\sim}30000\;units\;per\;rat)$ or streptokinase-dextran conjugate $(5000{\sim}17000\;units\;per\;rat)$ was administered by i.v. bolus injection through the femoral vein. Then the blood flow in the femoral artery was monitored using a Doppler laser flow meter. The i.v. bolus administration of streptokinase could not restore the blood flow in the femoral artery in the dose range of $10000{\sim}30000$ units per rat. The i.v. bolus administration of streptokinase-dextran conjugate could restore the blood flow in the femoral artery in the dose range of $5000{\sim}17000$ units per rat. A good correlation between the dose of streptokinase-dextran conjugate and the total thrombolytic effect was observed. In addition, the lag time between the injection of streptokinase-dextran conjugate and the restoring of the blood flow was decreased as the i.v. dose of streptokinase dextran conjugate increased. These results show the superior beneficial effect of streptokinase-dextran conjugate compared with the unconjugated streptokinase with respect to the elongation of thrombolytic activity, the administration method (single injection versus continuous infusion), and the reduced dose necessary for a equivalent thrombolytic effect.

Keywords

• Streptokinase;
• Dextran;
• Conjugate;
• Arterial thrombolysis model