What happens to circulating plasminogen when alteplase is administered?

When alteplase is administered, it interacts with circulating plasminogen, which is an inactive precursor to plasmin, the enzyme responsible for breaking down fibrin in blood clots. Alteplase is a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) that facilitates the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. Therefore, the correct response indicates that plasminogen may be activated when alteplase is present.

This mechanism is crucial in the context of clot management, as plasmin, once formed, acts to dissolve blood clots. The activation process essentially enhances fibrinolysis, which is the physiological process of breaking down clots, a vital action in treating conditions like acute myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke.

While some of the other options suggest various scenarios about the status of plasminogen, the key understanding lies in the role of alteplase as the activator of plasminogen, demonstrating that the administration of this medication leads to the potential activation of plasminogen into its active form, plasmin.