Hirudin
Hirudin
Hirudin (pronounced: hi-ROO-din) is a naturally occurring peptide in the salivary glands of medicinal leeches (such as Hirudo medicinalis) that has a blood anticoagulant property.
Etymology
The term "Hirudin" derives from the Latin word "hirudo", which means leech. It was first isolated from the medicinal leech in the early 20th century.
Function
Hirudin acts as a potent thrombin inhibitor. Thrombin is a protein involved in the coagulation of blood. By inhibiting thrombin, hirudin prevents blood clotting, making it a valuable tool in the medical field, particularly in surgeries and treatments where blood clotting could pose a risk.
Medical Use
In medicine, hirudin is used as an anticoagulant to prevent blood clots during surgery and in conditions such as thrombosis and embolism. It is also used in the treatment of myocardial infarction.
Related Terms
- Thrombin: A protein in blood plasma that causes the clotting of blood.
- Anticoagulant: A substance that prevents the coagulation of blood.
- Thrombosis: The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system.
- Embolism: A blocked artery caused by a foreign body, such as a blood clot or an air bubble.
- Myocardial infarction: Commonly known as a heart attack, it occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to a part of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hirudin
- Wikipedia's article - Hirudin
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