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Glite Dictionary
urokinase

urokinase

1 9.9
A natural protein made in the kidneys that helps break down blood clots
  • noun
  • /ˌjʊəroʊˈkaɪneɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : uroquinasa
  • The condition improved about eight hours after the injection of the enzyme urokinase to break down the blood clot.
  • a drug called urokinase

Examples

  • Two other clot-dissolving drugs, anistreplase and urokinase, are also available in the USA for treating certain medical conditions.

  • The presence of prions in the urine of CJD patients would obviously pose serious risks relating to the medicinal use of urine-extracted proteins, hormones, and urokinase, as well as the collection and disposal of patient urine.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Dr. Wayne Clark injected a drug called urokinase directly into the blood clot to dissolve it.

Synonyms

streptokinase
vsurokinase
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A medicine made by bacteria that breaks up blood clots

is produced in kidneys and acts inside the body rather than from bacteria
plasminogen activator
vsurokinase
  • Specialized
7.9

A substance made by the body that helps break down blood clots

is a specific kidney-produced enzyme of that class
tissue plasminogen activator
vsurokinase
  • Specialized
4.5

A medicine that breaks up blood clots to treat heart attacks and strokes

is a naturally produced kidney enzyme rather than a treatment for emergencies

Surface Forms

urokinase singular
urokinases plural

Morphology

urokinase = kinase (transparent) = uro + kinase

The term is directly formed by the combining form 'uro-' (urinary) attached to 'kinase' (an enzyme), so the meaning 'urine-associated enzyme' is compositionally clear within biomedical vocabulary.

Etymology

The word urokinase comes from Greek parts uro- 'urine' and -kinase 'to move', because the enzyme was first found in urine. So, urokinase is an enzyme that 'sets in motion' the breaking up of blood clots.