ABSTRACT
Advances in separation techniques and biotechnology have contributed to the development
of anticoagulant agents from hematophagous animals. The most potent known natural
thrombin inhibitor from blood-sucking leeches (Hirudo medicinalis), hirudin has served as a standard for designing the natural coagulation inhibitors
as an anticoagulant drug. The search for the development of hirudin from leech extract
to genetically engineered products as an alternative anticoagulant has been resumed.
The pharmacological profiling of the isolated thrombin inhibitor has shown that native
hirudin is an antithrombotic agent of high quality. However, its clinical use has
remained limited, because the substance has not been available in adequate amounts.
The progress in molecular biology has stimulated the interest in the structure and
function of hirudin. This development resulted in the production of recombinant hirudins
(r-hirudins) through gene technology. The biological properties of hirudin combined
with the ready availability of recombinant forms make the specific thrombin inhibitor
well-suited for use as an antithrombotic drug. Its use should lead to a decisive progress
in the management of thromboembolic diseases of both arterial and venous origin. Clinical
trials, especially in diseases in which thrombin plays a crucial role, are in progress.
KEYWORDS
Hirudin - leeches - thrombin inhibitor - antithrombotic drug - pharmacology - history
