Study of proteins and fibrinolysis in patients with glomerulonephritis.

Plasma and urine fibrinolysis were studied in 36 patients with glomerulonephritis and proteinuria. In 40% of these plasma fibrinolytic activator activity was moderately reduced and fibrinolytic inhibitors were increased. Globulins with antiplasmin effect were raised, particularly in the earlier months. Both the serum cholesterol and the plasma fibrinogen were related to the level of serum albumin, and those patients with high fibrinogen levels were also those with poor plasma fibrinolytic activator and those showing a steady deterioration. Urinary fibrinolysis was greatly reduced in most patients and bore no relation to plasma fibrinolysis levels. Hence urokinase is not derived from circulating plasminogen activator.