New approach to protein-losing gastroenteropathy

Abstract

Fibrinolytic activity in the biopsied gastrointestinal mucosa was investigated in patients with protein-losing gastroenteropathy, and the increased activity was observed in patients associated with erosive gastritis, Menetrier's disease, atrophic gastritis, or Crohn's disease. However, patients with intestinal lymphangiectasia showed normal mucosal fibrinolysis. Antifibrinolytic therapy with tranexamic acid revealed significant therapeutic effect in the group with increased mucosal fibrinolysis. It is concluded that tranexamic acid appeared to be successful in blocking the vicious circle of "membrane disorder","increased tissue fibrinolysis", "increased vascular permeability", and "hypoproteinemia" in protein-losing gastroenteropathy.