ATC Group: B02AB Proteinase inhibitors

Human alpha₁-proteinase inhibitor is understood to be the primary anti-protease in the lower respiratory tract, where it inhibits neutrophil elastase (NE). Normal healthy individuals produce sufficient alpha₁-proteinase inhibitor to control the NE produced by activated neutrophils and are thus able to prevent inappropriate proteolysis of lung tissue by NE.

Aprotinin is a broad spectrum protease inhibitor which has antifibrinolytic properties. By forming reversible stoichiometric enzyme-inhibitor complexes, aprotinin acts as an inhibitor of human trypsin, plasmin, plasma kallikrein and tissue kallikrein, thus inhibiting fibrinolysis.

Ulinastatin is a serine protease inhibitor that reduces the pro-inflammatory response as a result of sepsis, acute pancreatitis, trauma or surgery. It inhibits coagulation and fibrinolysis and promotes microperfusion. Thus, ulinastatin is an effective agent for immune modulation to prevent organ dysfunction and promote homeostasis.