Hirudin is a naturally occurring peptide in the salivary glands of medicinal leeches (such as Hirudo medicinalis) that has a blood anticoagulant property. This is fundamental for the leeches’ alimentary habit of hematophagy, since it keeps the blood flowing after the initial phlebotomy performed by the worm on the host’s skin. ==Structure== Du...
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirudin
(from the article `annelid`) ...from antiquity, reached its peak in the first half of the 19th century. The European species Hirudo medicinalis formerly was exported throughout ... ...incision in the flesh. The leech`s saliva contains substances that anesthetize the wound area, dilate the blood vessels to increase blood flow, ... ......
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http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/h/53
<protein> The substance secreted by leeches which prevents blood from clotting. Hirudin is used by the leeches while they feed on blood from their victims. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...
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http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/20973
(hĭ-roo´din) the active principle of the buccal secretion of leeches; it prevents clotting of the blood. A product made with recombinant technology is used as an anticoagulant.
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http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/21001
Type: Term Pronunciation: hir′ū-din Definitions: 1. An antithrombin substance extracted from the salivary glands of the leech that has the property of preventing coagulation of the blood.
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http://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?t=41074
Hirudin: An anticoagulant ('bloodthinner'). Hirudin is the active principle in the salivary secretion of leeches. The name hirudin is from Hirudo medicinalis, the name of the medicinal leech. In 1884 John Haycraft in Strasbourg found that leeches contained a substance with anticoagulant properties. This anticoagulant in leech saliva was isolated in...
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http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3762
a gray or white, water-soluble acidic polypeptide obtained from the buccal gland of leeches, used in medicine chiefly as an anticoagulant.
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https://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/hirudin
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