Naslov
Alternative sources of fibrinolytic, anticoagulative, antimicrobial and anticancer molecules

Autori
Cooper, Edvin ; Hrženjak, Terezija ; Grdiša, Mira

Izvornik
International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology (0394-6320) 17 (2004), 3; 237-244

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Eisenia foetida ; fibrinolytic ; anticoagulative ; antimicrobial ; anticancer activites

Sažetak
The medicinal properties of earthworms in various remedies date back to 1340 A.D. and have been used in many different countries and cultures. The earthworm's body cavity contains coelomic fluid and leukocytes that are diverse as they are in other complex invertebrates. They resemble certain vertebrate leukocytes with respect to morphology, cytochemistry and function. This review concerns the activities of humoral products, including lysozyme, synthesis and secretion of agglutinins, a phenoloxidase/peroxidase system, and synthesis and expression of the first to be discovered lytic components, the fetidins. We will focus on certain molecules that sequester experimental antigens (bacteria, erythrocytes, cancer cells: the lysins [primarily fetidins, lysenin, CCF-1, eiseniapore] ; evidence of their possible therapeutic applications that may be already employed in certain countries. We will also focus on properties of these lytic components and how they may be applied to clinical situations notably thrombosis. It will become clear that products of the earthworm's immune system, the lytic components, may not be the same as those molecules that have been isolated for clinical purposes. Now we carry this work further and look at how information of their immune systems has played a role in the eventual use in clinical studies. Up to now studies of G-90 pointed out that this mixture contains macromolecules with medical and pharmaceutical applications. 1. G-90 stimulates proliferation in cell cultures depending on the concentration and kind of cells. 2. Ames test using G-90 showed neither mutagenic nor carcinogenic properties. 3. G-90 also had growth factors such as insulin like growth factor (IGF like), immunoglobulin like growth factor (IgFG-like), two serine peptidases of tyrosine code and epidermal growth factor (EGF). 4. G-90 is strong fibrinolytic and anticoagulative. 5. Lysis time for fibrin clots from venous blood of patients suffering from malignancies significantly shortens by using G-90, PI, and PII. Fibrinolytic activity of G-90 depends on concentration of G-90 and histological type of tissue of the malignant tumor. 6. Anticoagulative activity depends on concentration and kind of anticoagulants (G-90, PI, PII). It is possible to stop coagulation of venous blood completely. Fibrinolysis times derived from malignancies demonstrate two opposites: quicker fibrinolysis of clots from blood significantly slowed from those with cardiopathies. 7. G-90 acts as antioxidant. 8. G-90 has antibacterial activities in vitro and in vivo. The bacteriostatic effect is stronger for the non-pathogenic species. 9. G-90 also participates in tissue regeneration and wound healing.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA