Lumbrokinase for Angina: Does It Help Heart Health?

cohort-study PMID: 19416019

Quick Summary: A small study found that taking lumbrokinase for a month might improve blood flow to the heart and ease chest pain (angina) in people with heart disease.

What The Research Found

Researchers looked at 10 people with stable angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart). They found that taking lumbrokinase for 30 days seemed to:

Improve blood flow to the heart muscle.

Reduce chest pain in some patients.

Have no reported side effects.

Study Details

Who was studied: 10 adults with stable angina and heart disease.

How long: 30 days.

What they took: Oral lumbrokinase, along with their usual heart medications.

What This Means For You

If you have angina, this study suggests lumbrokinase might help improve your heart health and reduce chest pain. However, it's important to remember:

Talk to your doctor first: Always discuss any new supplements with your doctor, especially if you have heart problems or take other medications.

This was a small study: More research is needed to confirm these findings.

Lumbrokinase might interact with other medications: It can affect blood clotting, so it's crucial to get medical advice.

Study Limitations

Small group: The study only included 10 people, so the results might not apply to everyone.

No comparison group: The study didn't compare lumbrokinase to a placebo (a "dummy" pill), so it's hard to know if the improvements were because of the lumbrokinase.

Short duration: The study only lasted a month, so we don't know if the benefits last longer.

Dosage not specified: The exact dose of lumbrokinase used wasn't detailed.

Key Findings

This pilot study found that oral lumbrokinase supplementation for 30 days significantly improved myocardial perfusion in patients with stable angina. The mean Summed Stress Score (SSS) and Summed Difference Score (SDS), which quantify ischemia severity and extent, decreased by 39% and 37%, respectively. Anginal symptoms were reduced in 60% of participants (6/10), and no adverse effects, including bleeding events, were reported.

Study Design

A single-armed cohort study conducted at the National Cardiovascular Center in Jakarta, Indonesia, evaluated 10 adults (age range unspecified) with stable angina and confirmed coronary artery disease (CAD). Participants received lumbrokinase for 30 days alongside standard medical therapy. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using technetium-99m sestamibi was performed pre- and post-treatment to assess inducible ischemia via SSS and SDS.

Dosage & Administration

The study protocol specified oral lumbrokinase administration for 30 consecutive days but did not detail the dosage (e.g., milligrams per day). The supplement was added to standard CAD therapies, including antiplatelets, beta-blockers, or nitrates.

Results & Efficacy

MPI Improvements:
Mean SSS decreased from baseline to post-treatment by 39% (quantitative values not provided).
Mean SDS decreased by 37%, indicating reduced ischemic burden.
Symptom Relief: 6 of 10 patients reported amelioration of anginal symptoms.
Safety: No adverse reactions or bleeding complications occurred.
The study did not report statistical significance metrics (e.g., p-values, confidence intervals) due to its pilot design and small sample size.

Limitations

Single-Armed Design: Lack of a control group limits conclusions about causality and comparative efficacy.
Small Sample Size: Results from 10 patients may not generalize to broader populations.
Short Duration: 30-day follow-up does not assess long-term safety or sustained benefits.
Unspecified Dosage: Dose-response relationships could not be evaluated.
No Blinding: Potential for bias in symptom reporting and MPI interpretation.
Future research should prioritize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with larger cohorts, standardized dosing, and extended follow-up periods to validate these preliminary findings.

Clinical Relevance

This study suggests lumbrokinase may enhance myocardial perfusion and alleviate angina symptoms when added to standard therapy. However, as a pilot study with inherent methodological limitations, these results should be interpreted cautiously. Supplement users with CAD should consult healthcare providers before use, particularly given lumbrokinase’s antithrombotic activity and potential interactions with other medications. The findings highlight the need for rigorous RCTs to confirm efficacy and establish optimal dosing.

Source: PubMed | Date: 2009 | Type: Cohort Study