Summary
In 5 normal volunteers infusion of small doses of Reptilase-def., a thrombin-like
snake venom enzyme of Bothrops atrox, led to a transient shortening of the clotting
time, which was significant when compared with a control group infused with glucose.
In hemophilic individuals, clotting and recalcification times were also considerably
shortened, the maximal effect in both groups occurring simultaneously with cryoprecipitability
and positive paracoagulation phenomena. Whether this accelerating effect on blood
coagulation is mediated by circulating soluble fibrin complexes, is not yet established.
However, the clot-promoting action of Reptilase must predominantly be localized at
the level of fibrinogen/fibrin conversion rather than in earlier phases of coagulation.