Summary
The effect of suspensions of corn oil, butter, cholesterol, and beta lipoprotein in
concentrations in the range of normal blood lipid levels on the ability of lytic agents
to digest fibrin clots in vitro has been examined. In one assay, the lipid solutions
were incubated with streptokinase, plasminogen activator or plasmin prior to addition
of the lytic agent to the clot and its fibrinolytic activity was then assessed. Secondly,
the lipids were incorporated into the clots and the three lytic agents were added
directly. The lipids used markedly inhibited the lytic effect of plasminogen activator
(34% mean) and plasmin (28.9% mean) when they were allowed to interact in solution
prior to addition to the clot. Streptokinase was significantly inhibited in this manner
but to a much smaller degree (7% mean). Lipids incorporated within the clots actually
enhanced the lytic action of plasminogen activator (8.8% mean), mildly inhibited clot
dissolution by plasmin (5.9%) and insignificantly altered the action of streptokinase.
The effects of the lipids used appeared to be relatively nonspecific.
