Biochemical
and Biotechnology -
Economy Class Syndrome
Introduction
The mechanism of blood clot formation
under the stagnant flow conditions has been elucidated
for the first time by the Institute of Physics and Chemical
Research. It is clinically well known that blood generally
does not coagulate while circulating in a living body,
but is apt to coagulate if blood flow becomes stagnant.
The economy class syndrome, in which passengers who
have kept sitting on the airline seats for a long time
face difficulty in breathing due to blood clots produced
in the lower limb veins, is one of its examples. However,
the mechanism of blood clot formation during blood stagnation
was not understood thus far.
Makoto Kaibara of the supermolecular science laboratory
analyzed the blood coagulation reaction in an artificial
blood vessel model. Through biochemical research, his
group proved that the slower the blood flow the easier
blood clots are produced. They also verified that the
protein, which causes blood coagulation is an enzyme
called elastase that exists on erythrocyte membrane
surface. This enzyme causes the coagulation by activating
factor IX that is one of the 12 coagulation factors.
The results are expected to be useful for diagnosis
and prevention of economy class syndrome. The research
team will promote elucidation of molecular mechanisms
such as the reason why F-IX is activated by elastase
under stagnant flow conditions.
Contact for more information
Science & Technology
Wing Embassy of India
2-2-11, Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0074, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3262-2391 to 97
Fax: +81-3-3234-4866
E-mail:tandonus@hotmail.com
