In vivo effect of proton-pump inhibitors on gastric plasmin-dependent fibrinolysis: A study in a porcine model

Introduction

Alkalization of gastric fluids could inhibit plasmin-mediated and/or pepsin-mediated fibrinolysis. We evaluated the gastric antifibrinolytic effect of proton pump inhibitors in a live porcine model.

Material and methods

Six pigs were randomly assigned to treatment with proton pump inhibitors vs no treatment. After endoscopic mucosal resection, 8 μm sections were incubated on fibrin films. Fibrinolytic activity was assessed through focal lysis time. One-hundred-and-forty-two mucosal sections and 129 submucosal sections were analysed. Twenty-four additional sections were analysed on plates containing tranexamic acid to explore pepsin-mediated fibrinolysis.

Results

Focal lysis times in treated vs control groups were 21.0 min vs 21.2 min (p = 0.39) in the mucosa, and 22.2 min vs 20.2 min (p = 0.56) in the submucosa. No lysis could be seen on the plasmin-inhibited fibrin plates.

Conclusion

Only plasmin-mediated fibrinolysis was observed. Proton pump inhibitors had no significant plasmin-dependant antifibrinolytic effect. They may enhance haemostasis through different pathways.