Antithrombins

Antithrombins (pronounced: an-ti-throm-bins) are a group of proteins that function as inhibitors of thrombin, a key enzyme involved in blood clotting. They play a crucial role in the regulation of blood coagulation and help prevent the formation of unwanted and potentially harmful blood clots.

Etymology

The term "antithrombin" is derived from the Greek words "anti", meaning against, and "thrombos", meaning clot. It was first used in the early 20th century to describe substances that could counteract the clotting action of thrombin.

Function

Antithrombins are produced by the liver and released into the bloodstream. They work by binding to and inactivating thrombin and other clotting factors, thereby preventing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, a key step in the formation of blood clots. In this way, antithrombins help to maintain the fluidity of the blood and prevent the formation of clots that can block blood vessels and cause conditions such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Types

There are several types of antithrombins, including antithrombin III, the most abundant and important type, and antithrombin I and II, which are less well understood. Mutations in the gene that codes for antithrombin III can lead to antithrombin deficiency, a rare inherited disorder that increases the risk of blood clots.

Related Terms

• Thrombin
• Blood coagulation
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Pulmonary embolism
• Antithrombin deficiency

See Also

• Coagulation factors
• Hemostasis
• Thrombosis

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Antithrombins
• Wikipedia's article - Antithrombins

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