Antithrombotic and thrombolytic activities of Agkisacutacin, a snake venom proteinase, in experimental models

The antithrombotic and thrombolytic activities of Agkisacutacin (Agk), a component isolated from Agkistrodon acutus, were determined in vitro and in vivo. The models employed included Chandler's model, arterio-venous shunt model and pulmonary embolus model. The effects of Agkisacutacin on coagulation, plasma fibrinogen and platelet aggregation induced by collagen, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and thrombin were also investigated. The results showed that Agkisacutacin can significantly inhibit thrombus formation in Chandler's and arterio-venous shunt models, and accelerate thrombolysis of pulmonary emboli in rats. The data suggested that Agkisacutacin possessed antithrombotic and thrombolytic activities. Agkisacutacin was also partial characterized.