Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) Stimulates Fibrinolytic System in the Rat

Abstract

We have studied the fibrinolytic effect of VIP in rats. Intravenous injection of VIP enhanced blood fibrinolytic activity in a dose-related manner. The euglobulin fraction obtained from intact rat plasma incubated with VIP did not produce an increase in fibrinolytic activity, while dextran sulfate (DS) and urokinase (UK) showed the activity. VIP solution placed on a plasminogen-rich fibrin plate did not show fibrinolysis. VIP had neither a plasminogen activator nor plasmin activity. VIP may release plasminogen activators into the blood.