Tissue plasminogen activator in the pathogenesis of protein-losing gastroenteropathy.

Tissue fibrinolytic activity, mainly due to activator of tissue plasminogen was increased in the biopsied gastric mucosa of patients with protein-losing gastropathy. Antiplasmin therapy with trans-AMCHA (trans-4-aminomethyl cyclohexane carboxylic acid) was dramatically effective, except in the case of a patient with intestinal lymphangiectasia. These findings suggest that increased fibrinolysis in the gastrointestinal mucosa may play an important role in enhancing mucosal permeability to plasma proteins.