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Plasminogen
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
Reference values (norm) for plasminogen content in blood plasma are 80-120%.
Plasminogen (profibrinolysin) is an inactive precursor of the enzyme plasmin (fibrinolysin). Determination of plasminogen is of the utmost importance for assessing the state of the fibrinolytic system.
The plasmin system includes four main components: plasminogen, plasmin, fibrinolysis proenzyme activators and its inhibitors. Plasminogen is converted into plasmin under the influence of physiological activators - substances that activate fibrinolysis. They can be of plasma, tissue and exogenous (bacterial) origin. Tissue activators are formed in the tissue of the prostate gland, lungs, uterus, placenta, liver, and vascular wall. Plasminogen activators are contained in secretory fluids (these include, in particular, urokinase, produced in the kidneys). Exogenous plasminogen activator of bacterial origin (streptokinase) activates plasminogen, forming an active complex with it.
The plasmin system is mainly intended for fibrin lysis, although plasmin can easily destroy fibrinogen, factors V, VIII and others. A powerful antiplasmin system (α 1 -antitrypsin, α 2 -AP, α 2 -macroglobulin, ATIII) protects these proteins from the action of plasmin, focusing its action on fibrin.
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