The modern concepts of fibrinolytic activation and inhibition are discussed in this paper and the importance of the complex interlinkage with the kallikrein-kinin, coagulation, complement and immunity mechanisms is underlined.
The importance of the fibrinolytic balance as a protective mechanism in prevention of thrombus formation, in inflammation and in cancer is postulated and in population studies the normal decline with age is standardised.
The possibilities for long term fibrinolytic enhancement by use of a variety of drugs, such as the biguanides and anabolic steroids has been demonstrated.
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