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International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Research

ISSN Print: 2575-7989 Downloads: 520927 Total View: 4473853
Frequency: bimonthly ISSN Online: 2575-7970 CODEN: IJCEMH
Email: ijcemr@hillpublisher.com
ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijcemr.2025.11.021

Research Progress on the Effects and Mechanisms of Hirudin on the Stability of Atherosclerotic Plaques

Wei Long1, Dan Liang2, Yihua Tan1, Mingfu Pan1, Yuandai Luo1,*

1International Zhuang Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, Guangxi, China.

2Graduate School of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, Guangxi, China.

*Corresponding author: Yuandai Luo

Guangxi TCM Appropriate Technology Development and Promotion Project 2024 (Project No. gxsy 2024050); Three-Year Action Plan Project for the Construction of High-Level Talent Teams in Guangxi International Zhuang Medicine Hospital, 2023 (gzcx20231201): Innovative Team for Prevention and Treatment of Longlu Disease with Zhuang Medicine and Pharmacology.
Published: December 30,2025

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a chronic cardiovascular disease with a high incidence in the world. Plaque stability is the core key factor to regulate its progress and the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Acute thrombotic events caused by unstable plaque rupture are the primary cause of myocardial infarction and stroke, which seriously threaten human health. Hirudin, as the core active ingredient of leeches, is a natural peptide extracted from their salivary glands. It has multiple biological functions, such as anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet aggregation, and has become a focus of attention in the field of anti-AS research. This article systematically reviews relevant research results at home and abroad and finds that hirudin can not only form stable complexes by tightly binding with thrombin, specifically inhibiting thrombin activity to exert potent anticoagulant effects, but also regulate the stability of AS plaques through multi-target and multi-pathway regulation. Its potential mechanism of action includes regulating blood lipid metabolism and reducing lipid deposition in the blood vessel wall; Inhibiting inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-κB and reducing inflammation infiltration within plaques; exerting antioxidant stress response and reducing oxidative dam-age to vascular endothelium; And blocking platelet aggregation-related signaling pathways to reduce the risk of thrombosis. This study aims to provide new theoretical support and potential therapeutic strategies for the precise prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases by elaborating the influence of hirudin on the stability of atherosclerotic plaque and its underlying mechanism.

Keywords

Hirudin; Atherosclerosis; Plaque Stability; Mechanism

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How to cite this paper

Research Progress on the Effects and Mechanisms of Hirudin on the Stability of Atherosclerotic Plaques

How to cite this paper: Wei Long, Dan Liang, Yihua Tan, Mingfu Pan, Yuandai Luo. (2025) Research Progress on the Effects and Mechanisms of Hirudin on the Stability of Atherosclerotic Plaques. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Research9(6), 692-697.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijcemr.2025.11.021