Which of the following drug inhibits plasminogen activation : March 2009
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the knowledge of a drug that inhibits the activation of plasminogen to plasmin, which is a key step in fibrinolysis. Plasminogen activation is crucial for the breakdown of fibrin clots in the body.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is a drug that inhibits the activation of plasminogen by blocking the action of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). This is achieved by inhibiting the serine proteases that activate plasminogen. The most well-known drug that inhibits plasminogen activation is aprotinin, which is a serine protease inhibitor.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because it is not a known inhibitor of plasminogen activation.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because it is actually a stimulator of plasminogen activation, not an inhibitor.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because it is a different class of drugs that work through a different mechanism, unrelated to plasminogen activation.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Aprotinin is a useful drug in cardiac surgery to reduce bleeding and transfusion requirements, but it has been associated with adverse effects such as renal dysfunction and an increased risk of myocardial infarction.
**Correct Answer:** A. Aprotinin