DETECTION OF TISSUE-PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR INHIBITORS IN CANINE AQUEOUS-HUMOR

Enzyme substrate-based analysis of canine aqueous humor was used to de termine plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity. Commercially a vailable, antibody-based methods for detection of PAIs are not cross-r eactive with canine fibrinolytic mediators. Substrate-based enzymatic assays are not dependent upon the cross-reactivity of a primary antibo dy, but rather on specific enzyme-substrate interactions. The mean val ue (+/- 1 SD) for PAI concentration in aqueous humor of dogs was 4.2 /- 1.1 IU/ml (n = 20). The median value for PAI concentration was 4 IU /ml. The distribution of PAI values was positively skewed with a range of values from 2.7 to 6.9 IU/ml. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the mean PAI concentrations determined for male and female dogs.