Affiliations: Department of Legal Medicine, Dokkyo University School
of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan | Hanzomon Gastrointestinal Clinic, Medical Co., Tokyo,
Japan | Daiwa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
Abstract: NKCP is the completely refined protein layer from cultured
Bacillus subtilis (natto) and is supplied in tablet form. It lacks the
distinctive fermented odor and bacteria associated with fresh natto. Almost all
vitamin K is removed during the manufacturing process. The main component of
NKCP is the active fragment of Bacillopeptidase F, which is a serine protease
secreted by Bacillus subtilis. In in vivo studies, NKCP shows
fibrinolytic and amidolytic activity on plasmin specific synthetic
substrate. Daily oral administration of NKCP in 28 volunteers for two weeks and
then in 23 volunteers for several months, was examined. The fibrinolytic effect
was demonstrated by a shortened euglobulin lysis time in both trials.
Furthermore, we observed an improvement in shoulder stiffness. These results
suggest that the oral administration of NKCP can be expected to have a
fibrinolytic effect and cause positive changes in local blood flow. Further
investigations may demonstrate NKCP to be useful in the prevention of
thrombosis.
