Fig. I summarizes the overall results for the fluctuations in fibrinolytic activities among 6 of the volunteers i.e. excluding one volunteer, who had been receiving earthworm powder for 3 years prior to the present experiments. In terms of the WBCLT, the fibrinolytic activity was increased the next day after commencing the administration and this continued into the 2nd day. However, the activity decreased once on the 4th day. Subsequently, it increased until the 17th day, when the experiments were terminated. In terms of the EFA, the fibrinolytic activity continued to increase from the next day until the 17th day. Based on the ELT, the activity increased from the next day, decreased once slightly on the 4th day, but then continued to increase until the 17th day. These data clearly demonstrated that earthworm powder, following its oral administration, has the power to increase the fibrinolytic activity of the blood.

Fig. 2 summarizes the overall jesuits for the antigen values of t-PA. TPA increased from the next day to the 4th day after commencing the administration of earthworm powder. Subsequently, the t-PA antigen value did not decrease until the last day of the experiment. However, a higher value than that before the experiment still continued until the last day of the experiment. The difference in t-PA antigen value between the day before the oral administration of earthworm powder and the 8th, 11th, and 17th days after commencing the administration was statistically significant (p <0.05).

Fig. 3 summarizes the results for FDP. As shown in Fig. 3, the levels of FDP increased very sharply on the next day after commencing the administration of earthworm powder and decreased  considerably at the 2nd day and 4th day. The FDP values then decreased gradually until the last day of the experiment. The difference in FDP values between the day before the oral administration of earthworm powder and the next day and 2nd day after commencing the administration was statistically significant (p <0.01). The difference between the day before and the 4th day after commencing the administration was also significant (p <0.05). The t-PA activities were found to be very different in each case, as shown below by the individual data. The overall results are therefore not summarized on a single graph.

To complement the above overall results following the administration of earthworm powder, each case is presented individually in Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4A illustrates the case of a 39-year-old and very healthy male. However, his FDP value increased on the 1st day after commencing the administration of earthworm powder. This meant that fibrin deposits were present within his vascular system despite the absence of any thrombotic symptoms. The FDP value then decreased from the 2nd day. It is assumed the fibrin deposits in the vascular system were entirely removed by the 17th day of administration of earthworm powder. The t-PA antigen value also increased from the 1st day after commencing the administration of earthworm powder. However, the t-PA activity was maintained at a low level. This could mean that t-PA was complexed with t-PA inhibitor.

Fig. 4B shows the case of a 32-year-old male. He was also very healthy. However, his FDP value increased on the 1st day after commencing the administration of earthworm powder and remained rather high for one week. Subsequently, the value decreased. It is assumed that the fibrin in the vascular system was completely removed by the 17th day. The t-PA antigen value did not increase as compared to case 4A. However, the t-PA activity was maintained at a higher level than that in ase 4A.

Fig. 4C shows the case of a 30-year-old male. He was youthful and very healthy, and sometimes engaged in aqua-diving. In this case, the FDP value increased on the 1st day and 2nd day, but then continued at a low level until the 8th day. The increase in FDP was less than in the above-mentioned cases. In this case, the t-PA antigen value was also maintained at a high level. However, t-PA activity was not observed. Figs. 4D and 5A illustrate the cases of a 28-year-old and a 27-year-old male, respectively. Their FDP values were also somewhat increased at the next and 2nd days. The fluctuations in t-PA activity and antigen values were similar to those in case 4C.

Fig. 5B shows the case of another 28-year-old male. He was young, but was the only volunteer with thrombotic symptoms. His systolic blood pressure was 160 mmHg and he sometimes complained of headaches. In this case the fibrinolytic activity was very low before the administration of earthworm powder and continued so after commencing the administration.  His FDP value increased very sharply on the 1st day, and high values were  observed for 2 weeks after commencing the administration.  However, during the 3rd week of administration, the FDP value decreased decreased and became normalized.  His blood pressure also fell to a normal level at the 3rd week of administration. The t-PA antigen value was increased from the 1st day until the last day. However, the t-PA activity was maintained at a very low level. These phenomena appeared to be similar to those in the older volunteer, case 4A.

Fig 5C shows the case of a 52-year-old healthy male, who had been receiving earthworm powder for 3 years prior to the present experiments. However, the dosage had been less than that in the present experiments. As demonstrated in Fig. 5C, the FDP value did not increase, and the t-PA antigen level was already high before commencement of the experiment. These findings may mean that no fibrin deposits were present in his body prior to the experiment and sufficient t-PA wascirculating within his body.

The above data suggest that fibrin clots are usually present in the human vascular bed, and can be digested by the administration of earthworm powder. That is, earthworm powder exerts thrombolytic effects following its oral administration.