Anticoagulants and inhibitors of platelet aggregation derived from leeches.
Increased life expectancy is associated with aging populations in the developed countries, and we can expect an increased incidence of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases and cancers. A priority for medical research is to reduce such morbidity. Leeches have been demonstrated to be a useful source of drugs to treat cardiovascular diseases, as they have evolved highly specific mechanisms to feed on their hosts by blocking blood coagulation. Powerful molecules acting at different points in the coagulation cascade or in the inhibition of platelet aggregation have been purified from these animals. Moreover, clinical trials confirm their potential to treat cardiovascular diseases.
Laboratoire d'Endocrinologie et Immunité des Annélides, UPRESA CNRS 8017, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, SN3, F-59655 Cedex, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France. michel.salzet@univ-lille1.fr
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D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007865:Leeches / Q000737:chemistry*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013917:Thrombin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000925:Anticoagulants; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; C053155:antistasin; D000990:Antithrombin III; D013917:Thrombin