Treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis
The effectiveness of using leeches in medical treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis has been proved in clinical trials that have shown a beneficial effect of hirudosubstances on level of lipids. Patients with coronary artery disease were divided into two groups: the first has been treated in a traditional way whilst the second has been treated in a traditional way and, additionally, hidurotherapy. In the second group normalization was observed in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and LDL levels. This was associated with leech secretion of esterase and lipase (triglyceridase) that degrades triglycerides. The study also confirms seratins antiatherosclerotic effects through their antithrombotic action during the formation of atherosclerotic plaque.
(Source: Faculty of Pharmacology, the Medical University of Bialystok)
