We explored the effects of a newly discovered fibrinolytic enzyme from the marine fungus Penicillium steckii KU1, particularly its interaction with zinc in the context of blood clot dissolution. This enzyme, which has a molecular weight of 12.6 kDa, is a plasmin-like protein that becomes more active in the presence of zinc. While it effectively dissolves blood clots, achieving complete dissolution in just 30 minutes with a specific concentration, we also observed that its activity is significantly inhibited by certain agents like EDTA.
Interestingly, the enzyme demonstrated a low level of hemolysis at just 2.60%, indicating that it could be a safer alternative for thrombolytic therapy. However, it's important to note that while zinc enhances the enzymatic activity, the isolated effects of zinc on blood clot breakdown remain somewhat unclear due to the enzyme's overall presence.
This research highlights the potential of the marine-derived enzyme and the role of zinc, suggesting that further studies could provide deeper insights into improving thrombolytic treatments. These findings could be significant for enhancing the safety and effectiveness of therapies designed for clot management.
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Zinc benefits blood clot healingA new hemostatic agent composed of Zn-enriched Ca alginate activates vascular endothelial cells and promotes tissue repair .
Highlights zinc's role in healing
We investigated how a new hemostatic agent, HEMO-IONIC®, which is enriched with zinc and made from calcium alginate, influences blood clotting and tissue repair. Our focus was on how this innovative compress can help control bleeding while also promoting healing after surgery.
In our study, we compared the effects of HEMO-IONIC with other common hemostatic products, like Surgicel® and TachoSil®. What we found was impressive: HEMO-IONIC not only effectively helped to achieve hemostasis, but it also supported the health of vascular endothelial cells, which are crucial for tissue repair.
Unlike Surgicel, which showed high cytotoxicity, and TachoSil, which inhibited cell migration, HEMO-IONIC promoted the migration of endothelial cells and increased angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels. This means that it not only helps stop bleeding but also enhances the body's natural repair processes by attracting essential healing cells and speeding up the maturation of the extracellular matrix.
Overall, we found that using HEMO-IONIC at the end of surgical procedures has long-term positive effects on every phase of tissue repair, making it a promising alternative to traditional hemostatic agents.
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We explored the role of calcium in promoting blood coagulation using a new zeolite-embedded regenerated cellulose aerogel (Z-RCA). This innovative hemostatic agent was designed to minimize common issues seen with previous zeolite-based products, like heat-induced tissue damage and unwanted blood clotting elsewhere in the body.
Our results showed that this aerogel effectively absorbed blood while releasing calcium ions, which play a crucial role in the blood clotting process. By combining the properties of zeolite and the calcium-releasing ability of the aerogel, we found that Z-RCA not only facilitated quicker blood clotting but did so safely, with less risk of adverse effects.
In animal trials, we observed that Z-RCA stopped bleeding faster than existing options like Quikclot and notably reduced blood loss by over 62%. This combination of effectiveness and safety makes Z-RCA a promising solution for achieving efficient hemostasis during emergencies.
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We investigated the effects of magnesium oxide nanoparticles, created using fruit extract, on blood clotting and oxidative stress. Our experiments showed that these nanoparticles significantly extended clotting time, indicating an anticoagulant effect. They also effectively reduced damage to red blood cells and various tissues in laboratory tests, helping to restore their function. Importantly, we found these nanoparticles non-toxic, suggesting they could be a promising treatment option for oxidative stress-related conditions without adverse side effects. However, further research is needed to fully understand their potential in clinical applications.
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Calcium type affects clot riskThrombotic Complications Associated With Right Atrial Lines in Neonates and Infants Undergoing Cardiac Surgery. Is Calcium Chloride a Culprit?
High relevance to thrombotic outcomes
We explored the impact of different calcium infusions on clotting risks in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery. Our study involved analyzing data from 135 babies who received either calcium chloride or calcium gluconate during their treatment.
The findings highlighted a significant concern: when using calcium chloride, the incidence of thrombotic events was notably higher compared to those treated with calcium gluconate. Specifically, the odds of experiencing a blood clot were over three times greater in patients given calcium chloride.
With an overall thrombus occurrence of 9.9%, we observed that only 4.6% of the group receiving calcium gluconate developed such complications compared to 15% in the calcium chloride group. The evidence suggests that switching from calcium chloride to calcium gluconate could potentially reduce the risk of harmful blood clots in these vulnerable patients.
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