FIBRINOLYTIC ACTIVITY IN PLASMA INDUCED BY NON-PROTEIN MATERIALS

The fibrinolytic activity of isoelectrically precipitated fractions of plasma was assayed on plasminogen rich fibrin plates. Dextran sulfate was used as a coprecipitant and activator to yield euglobulins with increased fibrinolytic activity. Flufenamic acid added to most euglobulins resulted in an increased fibrinolytic activity. These factors were used to study the contact activation system of fibrinolysis in normal and Factor XII deficient plasma. In the euglobulin precipitated at pH 5.9, less effect was seen using these techniques than in euglobulins precipitated at pH 5.3. Heparin, as an anticoagulant inhibits the fibrinolytic activity in conrast to EDTA and oxalate. Little difference was noted in the euglobulin from glass or Pyrex treated plasma. Pyrex was a better adsorbent than glass for removal of components of fibrinolysis. The activity removed by adsorption was that which could be precipitated with dextran sulfate. Flufenamate had a greater effect on the fibrinolytic activity in the fractions of glass or Pyrex treated plasma which were precipitated with dextran sulfate, indicating an apparently more effective inhibition in the treated plasma. Salts of fatty acids were found capable of coprecipitating fibrinolytic activity in the euglobulin. This phenomenon is similar to the effect of the dextran sulfate, and seems mediated through the Factor XII dependent activation system. Chloroform as an activator of fibrinolysis was studied for its effects in normally inactive bovine plasma. Combining the chloroform treatment with the activation and coprecipitation with dextran sulfate resulted in isoelectrically precipitated fractions, which generated fibrinolytic activity rapidly. This is in contrast to the uncontrolled slow development of activity usually observed with chloroform treatment.