Friday Hope: A Fibrinolytic Diet: A Potential Adjunct Therapeutic to Ameliorate Spike Protein-Induced Microclots

Many foods assist in breaking down Fibrin(ogen), a major factor in COVID/Spike Protein-induced microclots.

Simplified coagulation diagram depicting healthy and pathological processes 

(1A) The intrinsic and (1B) extrinsic pathways converge into the (1C) common pathway. These pathways lead to the conversion of soluble fibrinogen to insoluble fibrin, catalyzed by thrombin. (2) Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) converts plasminogen into plasmin. A healthy fibrinolytic system regulates the coagulation pathway and assists with successful lysis of the insoluble fibrin clot. (3) Plasmin cleaves fibrin into fibrin degradation products (FDPs), including D-dimer. (4) Protein C and thrombomodulin both regulate coagulation: thrombin binds to its receptor, thrombomodulin, resulting in activated protein C (APC). APC then inhibits both Va and VIIIa. (5) Dysregulated inflammatory molecules may interfere with tissue factor (TF) expression. (6) Dysregulated inflammatory molecules may also down-regulate thrombomodulin, resulting in hypercoagulation, as Va and VIIIa activities are then not sufficiently modulated. (7) In our laboraoty suty, we added Spike protein S1 to healthy plasma. Pathophysiology was noted in both prothrombin and fibrinogen chains. (8) Dysregulated inflammatory molecules in circulation can inhibit of the fibrinolytic system via up-regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). PAI-I up-regulation interferes with tPA function, and ultimately results in a dysregulated coagulation system. (9) α2AP inhibits plasmin and ultimately will prevent sufficient fibrinolysis to happen. (Figure created with Biorender.com). 

Of all the stars in the pathological firmament of COVID, Fibrin(ogen) may be the brightest. In particular, the Spike Protein itself induces large, fibrin-amyloid clots, which are difficult to degrade. Why? Because the Spike Protein, in tandem with inducing the clots, also downregulates the body’s natural mechanisms for degrading the clots. 

Scanning electron- and fluorescence microscopy revealed large, dense anomalous and amyloid masses in WB and PPP of healthy individuals where spike protein was added to the samples. Mass spectrometry confirmed that when spike protein was added to PPP, it interacts with plasma proteins, resulting in fibrin(ogen), prothrombin and other proteins linked to coagulation, to become substantially resistant to trypsinization, resulting in less fragments. Flow analysis confirmed that microclots may impair blood flow. Here we suggest that, in part, the presence of spike protein S1 in circulation may contribute to the hypercoagulation in COVID-19 positive patients and may cause severe impairment of fibrinolysis. The effects of S2 might also be relevant, and should also be investigated in future. It is also now accepted that coagulation pathology is central in acute COVID-19 [47–52]. Several autopsy results have also confirmed microthrombi throughout the lung and associated with right ventricular dilation of the heart. Recently, Ackermann and co-workers reported that histologic analysis of pulmonary vessels in patients with COVID-19 shows widespread thrombosis with microangiopathy [4]. The authors also showed that alveolar capillary microthrombi were nine-times as prevalent in patients with COVID-19 as in patients with influenza (P<0.001). Fibrinolytic impairment may therefore be the direct cause of the large microclots we have noted here in SEM and fluorescence microscopy, and previously in plasma samples of COVID-19 patients [6,7]. Clotting pathologies in acute COVID-19 infection might therefore benefit from following a regime of continued anticlotting therapy to support the fibrinolytic system function [40]. 

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 induces fibrin(ogen) resistant to fibrinolysis: implications for microclot formation in COVID-19 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8380922/ 

Therefore, it is only logical that, when exposed to the Spike Protein, partaking of a diet rich in Fibrinolytics should prove to be an effective adjunct therapy. Fortunately, there are a plethora of foods that are naturally Fibrinolytic. Incorporating these into our diets may prove to not only ameliorate the thrombotic conditions of COVID and Spike Protein pathologies but may also offer protection to those exposed to the Spike Protein. Especially since the Spike Protein inhibits the body’s natural abilities to break down Fibrin clots. 

I will now provide evidence for some common and readily available foods that may be of great value in resolving Spike Protein microclotting. 

GARLIC 

Bordia, A. et al [60], determined the effects of a preparation of dried garlic powder (Sapec) in 12 healthy subjects on fibrinolysis and platelet aggregation. Total euglobulin fibrinolytic activity and t-PA activity were significantly higher 4 and 6 h after garlic and placebo ingestion. 

GINGER (Increasing Fibrinolysis activity by 31.5% over Placebo!) 

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a popular food spice and it is reported to contain antihistaminic and antioxidant factors. Verna, S.K. et al [61] studied the effect of ginger on fibrinolytic activity on 30 healthy adult with high fat diet. The ginger increased fibrinolysis activity by 31.5% in these patients compared with the placebo. 

PINEAPPLE 

Another plant extract/product which has been identified to have fibrinolytic activity is Ananas comosus, this has a proteolytic enzyme called bromelain, which has displayed anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in human and laboratory studies. It has been shown to increase fibrinolytic activity [69, 70]. 

GINGKO 

Studies from around the world have demonstrated the potent antiplatelet properties of Ginkgo, which inhibits platelet aggregation and thrombin activity [50, 51]. The extract was obtained by a polyphenolic method, the fibrinolytic effects of Streptokinase was compared with those of the Ginkgo extract using a fluorometric method. The study was performed in vitro on a labeled clot; fibrinogen was labeled with the fluorescent agent fluorescein isothiocyanate and precipitated in the presence of Ca2+. The Streptokinase (100 U/mL to 1000 U/mL) and Ginkgo extract was added to labeled fibrin in a plasma environment. A linear relationship was observed between the Streptokinase and Ginkgo extract [42]. The results indicate that the effects of Ginkgo extract on the fibrinolytic system are similar to those of streptokinase [42]; hence, this herbal extract can be used as a complement to or as a substitute for streptokinase. In this sense, there is evidence that some natural products have fibrinolytic effects. 

Benefits may also be found by consuming Thrombolytic foods. 

ONIONS 

Yamada, K. et al [56] analyzed ten onion varieties, the antithrombotic activity of which was assessed in vivo by using a laser-induced thrombosis test in mice. Toyohira, showed significant antithrombotic activity both in vitro and in vivo. Toyohira showed thrombolytic activity in addition to the antiplatelet effect. Superkitamomiji, 2935A, and K83211 showed only thrombolytic activity. 

NATTOKINASE 

Natto-extracts is soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis, Suzuki et al [57], investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with natto-extracts on neointima formation and on thrombolysis at the site of endothelial injury. In control animals, thrombolysis started from the center of the thrombus and mural thrombus remained attached on vessel wall. A supplementation with natto-extracts seems to have modulated the process of thrombolysis, which started from near the vessel walls and then thrombi detached from them. 

If you are interested in TCM, it offers an array of natural Thrombolytic and Fibrinolytic treatments, as well. They can be found, along with all of the above quoted, in this excellent review article: 

Thrombolytic/Fibrinolytic Mechanism of Natural Products 
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/46446 

The above is a work of medical research and not medical advice. Please feel free to share this with your Primary Care Provider, should you wish to use the article as therapeutic guidance. 

I wish all a delicious, healing weekend of Hope. Nature has the ability to come to our rescue far more often than we know. And that, good friends, is wonderful.