ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, break down and prevent blood clots, semi-solid clumps of blood cells, and other substances that can block blood flow. However, anticoagulants can do their job too well, preventing clotting altogether and resulting in excessive external or internal bleeding.
A new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Michigan introduces a new compound, MPI 8, that may one day make anticoagulants much safer. MPI 8 precisely targets and inhibits just one of the molecules involved in blood clotting, allowing the break-up and prevention of clots without the risk of unwanted bleeding.
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Normally, blood clots form at the site of an internal or external injury, stop bleeding and allow the body to begin to heal. When internal clots break free, they can plug the bloodstream or block blood flow in critical areas such as the brain, heart, and lungs. The result can be a stroke, pulmonary embolism, or heart attack. The study is published in Nature Communications Trusted Source.