Study of in vivo thrombolysis in hyperlipaemic atherosclerotic monkeys

Abstract An experimental study on rhesus monkeys was undertaken to elucidate the dynamics of in vivo thrombolysis in the hyperlipaemic and atherosclerotic states. Atherosclerosis was produced by feeding the animals a diet supplemented with cholesterol and butter fat for a period of 6 months. Intrarenal thrombo-embolism was induced by administration of a homologous [ 125 I] fibrin homogenate into the abdominal aorta at a dose of 3 mg/kg containing 2 × 10 6 cpm/mg, both in hyperlipaemic atherosclerotic and normal monkeys. A sequential study of the thrombo-embolic index in both kidneys and measurement of radioactivity in the renal homogenate at different intervals provided evidence of an appreciable retardation in vivo of thrombolysis in hyperlipaemic atherosclerotic monkeys. The fibrinolytic activity of the plasma in these monkeys was also impaired.