OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this work was to investigate the distribution pattern of fibrinolytic factors and their inhibitors in rabbit tissues.

METHODSThe components of the fibrinolytic system in extracts from a variety of rabbit tissues, including tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), plasminogen (Plg), plasmin (Pl) and alpha(2) plasmin inhibitor (alpha(2)PI), were determined by colorimetric assay.

RESULTSThe tissue extracts in renal, small intestine, lung, brain and spleen demonstrated strong fibrinolytic function, in which high activity of tPA, Plg and Pl was manifested; whereas in skeletal muscle, tongue and stomach, higher activity of PAI-1 and alpha(2)PI showed obviously. Also excellent linear correlations were found between levels of tPA and PAI-1, Pl and alpha(2)PI, Plg and Pl. In related tissues, renal cortex and renal marrow showed distinctly higher activity of tPA and lower activity of PAI-1, with the levels of Plg and Pl in renal cortex being higher than those in renal marrow, where the alpha(2)PI level was higher than that in renal cortex. Similarly, the levels of tPA, Plg and Pl in small intestine were higher than those in large intestine, but with respect to PAI-1 and alpha(2)PI, the matter was reverse. In addition, the fibrinolytic activity in muscle tissue was lower, however, the levels of tPA, Plg, and Pl in cardiac muscle were obviously higher than those in skeletal muscles, and the levels of PAI-1 and alpha(2)PI were significantly lower than those in skeletal muscle.

CONCLUSIONOur data demonstrate that a remarkable difference of the fibrinolytic patterns exists in rabbit tissues, which has probable profound significance in understanding the relationship between the function of haemostasis or thrombosis and the physiologic function in tissues.