Biomedical subjects

C N Berry

Publications and source records attributed to C N Berry.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Antithrombotic properties of SSR182289A, a new, orally active thrombin inhibitor.

N-[3-[[[(1S)-4-(5-Amino-2-pyridinyl)-1-[[4-difluoromethylene)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl]butyl]amino]sulfonyl][1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl]acetamide hydrochloride (SSR182289A) is a novel, potent, and selective thrombin inhibitor. We have examined the antithrombotic properties of SSR182289A administered by i.v. and p.o. routes in several different animal thrombosis models in comparison with reference antithrombotic agents. Oral administration of SSR182289A produced dose-related antithrombotic effects in the following models; rat venous thrombosis (ED(50) 0.9 mg/kg p.o.), rat silk thread arterio-venous (AV) shunt (ED(50) 3.8 mg/kg p.o.), rat thromboplastin-induced AV shunt (ED(50) 3.1 mg/kg p.o.), rat carotid artery thrombosis (ED(200) 5.9 mg/kg p.o.), and rabbit venous thrombosis (ED(50) 7.5 mg/kg p.o.). Administered as an i.v. bolus, SSR182289A showed antithrombotic activity in the above models with ED(50)/ED(200) values in the range of 0.2 to 1.9 mg/kg i.v. SSR182289A increased rat tail transection bleeding time at doses > or =10 mg/kg p.o. In the rat thromboplastin-induced AV shunt model, SSR182289A 10 mg/kg p.o. produced marked antithrombotic effects at 30, 60, 120, and 240 min after administration. Hence, SSR182289A demonstrates potent oral antithrombotic properties in animal venous, AV-shunt, and arterial thrombosis models.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2001

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic activity of SL65.0472, a mixed 5-HT1B/5-HT2A receptor antagonist.

The antiplatelet and antithrombotic activity of SL65.0472 (7-fluoro-2-oxo-4-[2-[4-(thieno [3,2-c]pyrin-4-yl) piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]-1,2-di-hydroquinoline-acetamide), a mixed 5-HT1B/5-HT2A receptor antagonist was investigated on 5HT-induced human platelet activation in vitro, and in rat, rabbit and canine platelet dependent thrombosis models. SL65.0472 inhibited 5-HT-induced platelet shape change in the presence of EDTA (IC50 values = 35, 69 and 225 nM in rabbit, rat and human platelet rich plasma (PRP)), and also inhibited aggregation induced in human PRP by 3-5 microM 5-HT + threshold concentrations of ADP (0.5-1 microM) or collagen (0.3 microg/ml) with mean IC50 values of 49 +/- 13 and 48 +/- 6 nM respectively. SL65.0472 inhibited thrombus formation when given both intravenously 5 min and orally 2 h prior to assembly of an arterio-venous (A-V) shunt in rats as from 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg respectively. It was active in a rabbit A-V shunt model with significant decreases in thrombus weight as from 0.1 mg/kg i. v. and at 10 mg/kg p.o. The delay to occlusion in an electric current-induced rabbit femoral artery thrombosis model was increased by 251% (p <0.05) after 20 mg/kg p.o. SL65.0472 (30 microg/kg i.v.) virtually abolished coronary cyclic flow variations (7.2 +/- 1.0/h to 0.6 +/- 0.6/h, p <0.05) and increased minimum coronary blood flow (1.2 +/- 0.8 ml/min to 31.8 +/- 8.4 ml/min, p <0.05) in a coronary artery thrombosis model in the anaesthetised dog. Finally, SL65.0472 significantly increased the amount of blood lost after rat tail transection at 3 mg/kg p.o. Thus the anti-5-HT2A component of SL65.0472 is reflected by its ability to inhibit 5-HT-induced platelet activation, and platelet-rich thrombus formation.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Role of clot-associated (-derived) thrombin in cell proliferation induced by fibrin clots in vitro.

Thrombin is a potent mitogenic agent. Clot-associated thrombin retains its amidolytic and pro-aggregant activity. We therefore studied the ability of fibrin clots to induce proliferation in CCL39 cells (Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts), in the absence and presence of the thrombin inhibitors PPACK, recombinant hirudin (rHV2 Lys47) and heparin:antithrombin III. Fibrin clots incubated for 48 h with CCL39 cells led to significant cell proliferation, which was dependent on the concentration of thrombin used to prepare the clots. Thus, clots prepared with 91 nmol l(-1) thrombin produced a similar proliferation (231+/-21%) to that obtained with 50 nmol l(-1) thrombin in solution (213+/-29%). Rabbit plasma clots led to a 499+/-41% increase in cell number under identical conditions. Fibrin clot-induced cell proliferation was inhibited by all three thrombin inhibitors with no difference in IC(50) values compared to those obtained against thrombin in solution, suggesting that cell proliferation be due to thrombin leaching from the clots. We found a time-dependent increase in thrombin release from the clots attaining a plateau at 24 h (approximately 61% of the total thrombin used in clot formation). Clots separated from the cells using porous cell culture chamber inserts led to similar proliferation to that of clots in contact with the cells. Thus fibrin-clot induced CCL39 proliferation is due to thrombin released from the clots.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

PubMed2000

Anticoagulant activity and pharmacokinetic properties of a sub-cutaneously administered mixed micellar formulation of argatroban in experimental animals.

We have studied the anticoagulant properties of a novel mixed micellar formulation containing 14 mg/ml argatroban administered by the sub-cutaneous (s.c.) route to rats, rabbits, dogs and primates. Blood samples were taken at various times post-treatment for the determination of the thrombin time (TT), Ecarin clotting time (ECT) and the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Plasma levels of argatroban were determined in the dog and primate. Mixed micelles alone (0.15 M sodium glycocholate and 0.15 M egg lecithin) were without effect on the clotting parameters. The mixed micellar formulation of argatroban dose-dependently increased all three clotting parameters in the rat (1-4 mg/kg), the rabbit (1 and 2 mg/kg), the dog (1 and 2 mg/kg) and the primate (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg). In each case the TT was the most sensitive parameter, followed by the ECT and the aPTT. The duration of action of argatroban in each species was dose dependent and varied from 3 h in the rat to 6 h in the dog. In the latter, the mixed micelle formulation had a significantly increased plasma half-life and mean residence time without affecting the overall area under the curve. The increases in the clotting time were strongly correlated with the plasma levels of argatroban and were linear across the range of concentrations obtained in the dog and the primate, although the aPTT plasma concentration response curve was very flat. Species differences were noted between the increase in clotting time for a given plasma concentration, with the primate being more sensitive than the dog (e.g. 4.7 times more so in terms of the ECT). Thus, a mixed micellar formulation of argatroban, which markedly enhances its solubility, could be useful as a potential anticoagulant for sub-cutaneous administration.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Activity of a sub-cutaneously administered novel mixed micellar formulation of argatroban in rat and rabbit models of venous thrombosis.

We studied the antithrombotic activity of a mixed micellar formulation containing 14 mg/ml argatroban administered by the subcutaneous (s.c.) route in rat and rabbit models of venous thrombosis. The effects on bleeding time in the rat tail transection bleeding time test were also studied. In a tissue factor-dependent arterio-venous shunt model, argatroban treatment led to dose-dependent reduction in thrombus weight with an estimated ID50 of 1.8 mg/kg s.c. In the same model, heparin had an estimated ID50 of 179 IU/kg. The antithrombotic activity of argatroban was accompanied by increases in the thrombin and ecarin clotting times but not the aPTT, whereas heparin increased the thrombin time and aPTT but not the ecarin clotting times. Argatroban also inhibited thrombus formation in a rabbit model of thromboplastin + stasis induced thrombosis in the rabbit jugular vein with an estimated ID50 of 1 mg/kg s.c. When tested in the rat tail transection bleeding time test, the mixed micellar formulation of argatroban caused significant increases in the bleeding time as from 8 mg/kg s.c., while heparin significantly increased the bleeding time at 800 U/kg. Mixed micellar argatroban appears to have a superior safety margin to heparin in terms of antithrombotic efficacy and bleeding risk. Thus, a mixed micellar formulation of argatroban, which markedly enhances its solubility, could be useful as a potential antithrombotic agent for subcutaneous administration.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Antithrombotic activity of a monoclonal antibody inducing the substrate form of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in rat models of venous and arterial thrombosis.

1. Elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is a risk factor for thrombosis, and inhibitors of the interaction between PAI-1 and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) have antithrombotic and prothrombolytic activity in animals. We describe the antithrombotic effects in the rat of a monoclonal antibody (MA33H1) which converts PAI-1 to a non-inhibitory substrate. 2. The activity of MA33H1 against rat PAI-1 was confirmed using two-chain t-PA and a chromogenic substrate. MA33H1 was evaluated in rat venous (thromboplastin + stasis in the abdominal vena cava) and arterial (electric current applied to a carotid artery) thrombosis models. The effects on tail-transection bleeding time were studied. 3. MA33H1 at 100 ng ml(-1) inhibited both human (44.1%) and rat PAI-1 (49.7%). This effect was concentration-dependent. Its effect on human PAI-1 was not significantly inhibited by 1 microg ml(-1) fibrin or a approximately 7 fold molar excess of vitronectin (1 nM). Inhibition of rat PAI-1 was unchanged by fibrin, but vitronectin reduced inhibition from 0.5 nM. 4. In the venous thrombosis model, MA33H1 significantly reduced thrombus weights by 38 and 58.6% at 50 and 100 microg kg(-1) min(-1) i.v. respectively. This effect was inhibited by tranexamic acid. In the arterial model, MA33H1 significantly increased the delay to occlusive thrombus formation by 58 and 142% at 50 and 100 microg kg(-1) min(-1) i.v., and did not affect bleeding time at 300 microg kg(-1) min(-1) i.v. 5. Thus, a monoclonal antibody which transforms PAI-1 to a t-PA substrate prevents thrombus formation in the rat with no effect on bleeding time at a higher dose.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Ecarin Clotting Time: a predictive coagulation assay for the antithrombotic activity of argatroban in the rat.

We studied the use of the Ecarin Clotting Time (ECT) as a predictive assay of the antithrombotic effects of argatroban in a new tissue factor-dependent model of venous thrombosis and a model of arterial thrombosis in the rat. Heparin was used as a reference anticoagulant. Infusions of argatroban dose-dependently increased the ECT across the range of doses required for antithrombotic activity in models of venous and arterial thrombosis (1.25-40 microg/kg/min). The TT was only useful as a marker in the case of venous thrombosis, since, in the arterial thrombosis model, the clotting times were >200 s in the majority of animals receiving antithrombotic doses. The aPTT is not sufficiently sensitive to be predictive of an antithrombotic effect in the venous model, and shows only modest increases in the arterial thrombosis model. Heparin did not significantly increase the ECT at antithrombotic doses in the venous thrombosis model, and only increased the ECT by 53% at 40 microg/kg/min in the arterial model, despite a marked antithrombotic effect. Both the TT and aPTT were dose-dependently increased by heparin at doses active in the venous model, whereas both parameters were >200 s at doses active in the arterial thrombosis model. Thus, the ECT provides a predictive marker for the antithrombotic activity of argatroban in both venous and arterial thrombosis, at least in the rat.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Platelet aggregation induced in vitro by rabbit plasma clot-associated thrombin, and its inhibition by thrombin inhibitors.

The activation of rabbit platelets by rabbit plasma clots, and the inhibition of clot-associated thrombin by heparin:antithrombin III, recombinant hirudin (rHV2Lys47) and argatroban, a low molecular weight thrombin inhibitor, was studied. Plasma clots caused the aggregation of platelets suspended in a plasma-free medium as assessed by single platelet counting, and by scanning electron microscopy (platelet aggregates present on the clot surface). Platelet aggregation, induced by clot-associated thrombin, was inhibited by argatroban with an IC50) of 14 +/- 3 nM compared to an IC50) of 12 +/- 2 nM when human thrombin in solution titrated to give the same decrease in the platelet count as plasma clots was used. rHV2Lys47 also inhibited aggregation induced by clot-associated thrombin with an IC50 of 1.6 +/- 0.4 nM compared to 1.6 +/- 0.5 nM with thrombin in solution. Heparin was less active against clot-associated thrombin (IC50) = 69 +/- 9 mU/ml) than against thrombin in solution (IC50 = 15 +/- 5 mU/ml). This study shows that plasma clot-bound thrombin activates platelets and that direct-acting thrombin inhibitors such as argatroban and rHV2Lys47 are more effective than heparin:antithrombin III in inhibiting this phenomenon.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Antithrombotic activity of argatroban in experimental thrombosis in the rabbit.

Argatroban was evaluated in three models of thrombosis in the rabbit: the Wessler model (thromboplastin plus stasis of the left jugular vein), an arteriovenous shunt model, and a model of arterial thrombosis induced by endothelial and intimal damage of the left femoral artery. Calcium heparin was used as a comparator. Both substances inhibited thrombus formation in the Wessler model with ID50 values of 0.32 and 0.16 mg/kg intravenous bolus for argatroban and heparin respectively, with similar changes in thrombin time (4 to 5 times control) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (1.6 to 2.1 times control) for both substances at antithrombotic doses. The ID50 values of both substances were 2.4 micrograms/kg/min (argatroban) and 0.5 microgram/kg/min (heparin). When they were administered by continuous infusion, no significant effects on the APTT were noted. In the arteriovenous shunt, the ID50 values for argatroban and heparin (respectively) were 0.16 and 0.07 mg/kg intravenous bolus, and 4.5 and 2.8 micrograms/kg/min intravenous infusion. Vessel clamping followed immediately by electrical stimulation (5 mA direct current, 5 minutes) of the left femoral artery leads to the formation of an occlusive thrombus approximately 30 minutes after clamping. Argatroban infused for 60 minutes before the vascular lesion and throughout the 90 minute observation period led to a dose-dependent delay in arterial occlusion with significant effects seen at 5 micrograms/kg/min with five of eight animals showing normal femoral blood flow at 90 minutes postlesion at 20 micrograms/kg/min; no significant increases (Dunnett's test) in APTT were noted with argatroban. Heparin was without effect even at 40 micrograms/kg/min, despite an eight-fold increase in APTT at 20 micrograms/kg/min and values of more than 300 seconds at 40 micrograms/kg/min. Thus, in models of arterial but not venous thrombosis, argatroban is a more potent antithrombotic agent than heparin on a weight basis, with antithrombotic effects at a much lower degree of systemic anticoagulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Antithrombotic actions of the thrombin inhibitor, argatroban, in a canine model of coronary cyclic flow: comparison with heparin.

1. The antithrombotic action of argatroban, a synthetic thrombin inhibitor, was studied in a canine model of coronary cyclic flow having some of the characteristics of acute unstable angina. Heparin was studied as a reference anticoagulant. 2. Localized endothelial damage was induced in the circumflex coronary artery of anaesthetized open-chest foxhounds and a critical stenosis was applied by use of a Lexan constrictor placed around the artery at the site of endothelial damage. An electro-magnetic flow probe was placed distal to the lesion, and cyclic flow variations (CFVs) were observed, as thrombi formed at the site of the arterial lesion and were dislodged. Test compounds were administered by i.v. infusion commencing 1 h after the appearance of CFVs, and maintained for 1 h. On termination of the treatments, coronary flow was observed for a further 60 min. A series of blood samples were taken at predetermined times throughout each experiment in order to determine the coagulation parameters, thrombin time (TT) activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and for the determination of fibrinopeptide A (FpA) levels before, during and post-treatment. 3. Argatroban and heparin showed antithrombotic effects in this model. Argatroban dose-dependently increased the minimum coronary flow at the nadir of the CFVs from 5.4 +/- 1.7 to 9.1 +/- 2.1 ml min-1 (30 micrograms kg-1 min-1, P = 0.041) and from 2.9 +/- 0.9 to 16.3 +/- 4.5 ml min-1 (100 micrograms kg-1 min-1, P = 0.023, n = 8 dogs at each dose level). Heparin (5 and 15 iu kg-1 min-1) also increased minimum flow, but the increase was not statistically significant at the 5% level, although the P value in animals treated with 15 iu kg-1 min-1 (P = 0.0521, n = 6 dogs) fell just outside this limit. Although neither compound significantly decreased the overall CFV frequency, argatroban (100 micrograms kg-1 min-1) significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the number of large amplitude CFVs (minimum coronary flow < 10 ml min-1) by 63%, and heparin (15 iu kg-1 min-1) caused a 50% decrease in this parameter (P < 0.05). 4. The thrombin times were increased by a factor greater than 10 during antithrombotic treatment, irrespective of the compound or doses used. Heparin treatment induced 17 and > 30 fold increases in aPTT at 5 and 15 iu kg-1 min-1 respectively. However, argatroban produced only 2 and 3 fold increases in aPTT at 30 and 100 micrograms kg-1 min-1, despite significant antithrombotic effects. FpA levels were reduced in the presence of both argatroban and heparin. 5. These data show that, when administered as an intravenous infusion, argatroban is a potent antithrombotic agent in a canine model of coronary cyclic flow.

Angina, Unstable↗

PubMed1996

Inhibition by Argatroban, a specific thrombin inhibitor, of platelet activation by fibrin clot-associated thrombin.

Clot-associated thrombin retains amidolytic activity, and is resistant to inhibition by heparin, but not to low molecular weight thrombin inhibitors. We show that clot-associated thrombin induces platelet aggregation, is resistant to heparin:antithrombin III, less so to recombinant hirudin (rHV2Lys47) but not to argatroban, an active-site directed thrombin inhibitor. Fibrin clots prepared with human fibrinogen and thrombin were used to aggregate rabbit washed platelets assessed by single platelet counting, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) immunoassay and scanning electron microscopy. Fibrin clots decreased platelet counts, and released TXB2. Electron microscopy showed platelet aggregates on the clot surface. Argatroban concentration-dependently inhibited such aggregation with IC50s of 21 nM and 13 nM versus aggregation and TXB2 release respectively. The IC50s of Argatroban against fluid-phase thrombin producing similar aggregation were 12 nM (aggregation) and 33 nM (TXB2). rHV2Lys47 was less active against clot-induced aggregation (IC50 = 1.8 nM) than against fluid-phase thrombin (IC50 = 0.06 nM). Heparin had an IC50 of 0.02 mU/ml against aggregation induced by fluid-phase thrombin, but much greater concentrations are required to inhibit clot-induced aggregation (IC50 = 48 mU/ml). These data provide a basis for the superiority of direct-acting thrombin inhibitors over heparin in platelet rich thrombi.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Peripheral benzodiazepine ligands inhibit aggregation and thromboxane synthesis induced by arachidonic acid in rabbit platelets in vitro.

Seven compounds having varying affinities for peripheral benzodiazepine (p sites) were evaluated in vitro as inhibitors of arachidonic acid-induced rabbit platelet aggregation and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) synthesis. With the exception of flumazenil, all compounds inhibited both parameters with IC50 values ranging from 0.19 to 3.5 microM, with a significant correlation between the inhibition of aggregation and the synthesis of thromboxane B2. The antiaggregatory effect was stereoselective, and inhibition was increased when cellular penetration was favoured by increasing the volume of the organic solvent. The order of potency these compounds is consistent with an effect at intracellular p sites (Ro5-4864 > PK14067 > PK 11195 >> PK 14068 > or = clonazepam > or = diazepam >>> flumazenil). However, the correlation between the aggregation inhibition and the synthesis of TXB2 suggests that microsomal cyclooxygenase may be the intracellular target of these ligands. We therefore propose that this enzyme possesses a site for benzodiazepine ligands which may share certain characteristics with the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Anti-anaphylactic activity of the novel selective histamine H1 receptor antagonist mizolastine in the rodent.

The anti-anaphylactic/anti-histamine activity of mizolastine (CAS 108612-45-9, SL 85.0324), a novel histamine H1 receptor antagonist devoid of sedative properties, has been evaluated in the rat, mouse and guinea pig. Mizolastine inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylactic reduction caused by ovalbumin challenge in the rat (ED50 = 0.7 mg/kg i.v., 1.6 mg/kg p.o.) and effectively protected rats from the lethal shock induced by compound 48/80 (ED50 = 0.07 mg/kg p.o.). Mizolastine protected actively sensitized guinea pigs from anaphylactic mortality, bronchospasm and respiratory difficulties (increase in pulmonary resistance) preceding this event and from morphological modifications at doses from 0.05 mg/kg i.v. The pharmacological activity of mizolastine is linked to a selective blockade of histamine H1 receptors as indicated by the ability of this compound to antagonize rat paw edema induced by the subplantar injection of histamine (ED50 = 0.5 mg/kg p.o.) but not that induced by the injection of serotonin or bradykinin. Mizolastine also antagonized the increase in cutaneous capillary permeability caused by the intradermal injection of histamine (-80% at 0.3 mg/kg p.o.) and compound 48/80 (ED50 = 1.1 mg/kg p.o.) but not that induced by serotonin in the rat. In the guinea pig, mizolastine antagonized i.v. histamine-induced bronchoconstriction (ED50 = 0.03 mg/kg p.o.) and histamine-induced vascular permeability and edema in trachea and bronchi (ED50 < or = 0.05 mg/kg i.v.). Moreover, at higher doses, mizolastine antagonized the bronchospasm caused by systemic injection of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and leukotriene D4 (LTD4) (ED50's = 0.30 and 3.0 mg/kg p.o., respectively). However, mizolastine only weakly antagonized bronchospasm induced by aerosolized PAF (-67% at 50 mg/kg p.o.), failed to antagonize (up to 3 mg/kg i.v.) PAF-induced microvascular permeability of the tracheal mucosa in the guinea pig and was a weak inhibitor of PAF-induced platelet aggregation in the rabbit (IC50 = 74 mumol/l). In addition to antagonizing histamine H1 receptors, mizolastine also inhibits the release of histamine during allergic reactions in tissues. Thus, mizolastine antagonizes the antigen-induced in vivo release of histamine from mast cells in bronchoalveolar lavages of actively sensitized guinea pigs (minimal effective dose 0.3 mg/kg p.o.) and the release of histamine from mast cells in the peritoneal fluid of passively sensitized rats (ED50 = 0.9 mg/kg i.v.). In these various models, mizolastine was more potent than loratadine and terfenadine but less potent than ketotifen. The apparent half-life for the pharmacological actions of mizolastine ranged from 6 to 8 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Anaphylaxis↗

PubMed1994

Antithrombotic actions of argatroban in rat models of venous, 'mixed' and arterial thrombosis, and its effects on the tail transection bleeding time.

1. The antithrombotic action of argatroban, a synthetic thrombin inhibitor, was studied in three models of thrombosis in the rat, and in the tail transection bleeding time test. Heparin was studied as a reference anticoagulant. 2. In the model of venous thrombosis induced by thromboplastin followed by stasis of the abdominal vena cava, argatroban had an ED50 of 125 micrograms kg-1, when administered as an i.v. bolus 5 min prior to the thromboplastin injection: the ED50 of heparin was 42 micrograms kg-1, where ED50 is the dose which reduces the weight of the thrombus by 50% compared with that of the control animals. When the two compounds were administered by continuous i.v. infusion, argatroban (ED50 = 1.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1) had the same potency as heparin (ED50 = 1.2 micrograms kg-1 min-1). 3. Argatroban was active in the arterio-venous shunt model with an ED50 of 0.6 mg kg-1 when the compound was given as a bolus. The ED50 of heparin was 0.04 mg kg-1 under the same conditions. The two compounds had ED50 values of 6 micrograms kg-1 min-1 (argatroban) and 3 micrograms kg-1 min-1 (heparin), when administered by continuous i.v. infusion. 4. When tested against occlusive arterial thrombus formation by electrical stimulation of the left carotid artery, both compounds given as either an i.v. bolus or a continuous infusion led to dose-dependent increases in the duration of post-lesion vessel patency. Heparin bolus was more active than argatroban on a weight basis, in that 2 mg kg-1 gave a similar increase in the time to occlusion as 8 mg kg-1 argatroban. As in the other models, when given as continuous infusions, argatroban (111% increase in time to occlusion at 20 tg kg-1, min-1) had similar activity to that of heparin (180% increase at 25 jg kg-1 min-1) on a weight basis. Hoever, the antithrombotic effects of argatroban were accompanied by only moderate changes in the coagulation parameters (thrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, APTT), whereas, even at a subthreshold dose of heparin (12.5 pg kg-1 min-1), both the thrombin time and the APTT were greater than 150 s.5. Infusions of both compounds caused dose-dependent increases in the tail transection bleeding time,with the dose of argatroban that doubles the bleeding time (11 I g kg-1 min-1) being five times greater than that of heparin (EDI, = 2.2 fig kg-1 min-1).6. These data show that, when administered as an intravenous infusion, argatroban is a potent antithrombotic agent in rat models of venous 'mixed' and arterial thrombosis, this effect can be obtained with a lower degree of systemic anticoagulation than with heparin in the arterial model, and argatroban has a lower haemorrhagic potential than that of heparin.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Effects of the synthetic thrombin inhibitor argatroban on fibrin- or clot-incorporated thrombin: comparison with heparin and recombinant Hirudin.

The inhibitory effects of argatroban on clot- or fibrin-bound human thrombin were studied using the thrombin-specific chromogenic substrate S2238 (200 microM). These effects were compared to those of recombinant hirudin (rHV2 Lys 47) and the heparin/antithrombin III complex. Argatroban concentration-dependently inhibited the cleavage of S2238 by a thrombin solution, which had been titrated to give the same change in OD405 nm as fibrin-bound thrombin, with an IC50 of 1.1 microM with 90% inhibition at 8 microM. rHV2 Lys 47 and heparin had IC50 values of 1.2 nM and 0.003 U/ml respectively under these conditions. However, when the compounds were tested against fibrin-bound thrombin, argatroban had an IC50 of 2.8 microM with 65% inhibition at 8 microM, whereas rHV2 Lys 47 had an IC50 of 23 nM (with only 56% inhibition at 200 nM), and heparin had an IC50 of 0.5 +/- 0.38 U/ml (with only 58% inhibition at 5 U/ml); i. e. the two compounds were 19 and 168 times less active against fibrin-bound thrombin than against thrombin in solution. The differences between the inhibitory effects of the compounds against thrombin bound to a plasma clot were even more striking in that the IC50 of argatroban was increased from 1.1 (vs. thrombin in solution) to 2.7 microM, while, although rHV2 Lys 47 and heparin had IC50 values of 2.8 nM and 0.004 U/ml against thrombin in solution, they had little (32% inhibition by 4 microM rHV2 Lys 47) or no effect (even at 5.0 U/ml heparin) against the amidolytic activity of a plasma clot.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antithrombins↗

PubMed1992

Effects of S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine on pulmonary sialyl transferase activity in vitro, in healthy and in sulphur-dioxide-induced bronchitic rats.

S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine (carbocysteine) improves the visco-elastic properties of bronchial mucus in vivo, possibly as a result of an increase in the relative proportions of sialomucins in bronchial mucus. Carbocysteine was therefore studied in vitro and ex vivo in both normal and bronchitic rats on pulmonary sialyl transferase, responsible for the addition of sialic acid to mucus glycoproteins. Bronchitis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by repeated exposure to sulphur dioxide for two weeks. During this time they received either 500 mg kg-1 day-1 carbocysteine or its vehicle by the oral route. Rats not being exposed to SO2 received the same treatment. The animals were then killed, and subcellular fractions prepared by differential centrifugation of lung homogenates. Sialyl transferase was assayed using CMP-14C sialic acid as substrate and desialysed fetuin as exogenous acceptor. Enzyme activity was located in both the (Golgi-containing) 10,000 g and 100,000 g pellets with minor activity in the cytosolic supernatants. When tested in vitro between 10(-6) and 10(-3) M, carbocysteine had no effect on sialyl transferase activity in microsomes taken from healthy or bronchitis rats. Repeated administration of carbocysteine was without effect on the sialyl transferase activity in 10,000 g pellets taken from healthy rats. However, in bronchitic rats there was a small but statistically significant (P less than 0.05) increase in enzymic activity in the treated group compared to the animals receiving the vehicle. There was no difference in the activity of the microsomal enzyme compared to vehicle-treated controls in either healthy or bronchitic rats. We conclude that it is possible that an increase in sialyl transferase activity in a Golgi-containing fraction of bronchitic lungs could explain the relative increase in sialomucins in bronchitic subjects.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Sulphasalazine and PhCL28A inhibit the formation of ethanol- and phenylbutazone-induced rat gastric ulcers: lack of involvement of endogenous prostaglandins?

1. The effects of sulphasalazine (SZP) and PhCL28A on macroscopic lesion formation and ex vivo prostaglandin inactivation were studied in the ethanol (ETOH) and phenylbutazone (PBT) models of gastric ulcers in the rat. Prostaglandin 'synthesis' during homogenisation of the stomachs was also studied in the latter model. 2. Both PhCL28A and SZP when injected i.p. prevented the formation of ETOH- and PBT-induced gastric ulcers with ED50 values of 13 and 41 mgkg-1 (vs ETOH) and 3 and 32 mgkg-1 (vs PBT) for PhCL28A and SZP respectively. However, neither compound was active orally in the dose ranges used (up to 30 mg kg-1 for PhCL28A and 100 mg kg-1 for SZP). 3. Irrespective of the route of administration, SZP (100 mg kg-1) and PhCL28A (30 mg kg-1) produced slight but statistically significant decreases in ex vivo prostaglandin inactivation by 100,000 g cytosolic supernatants prepared from stomachs not receiving ulcerogen. When tested in vitro, PhCL28A (IC50 = 230 nM) was approximatively 480 times mor potent than SZP (IC50 = 110 microM) against rat stomach cytosolic prostaglandin inactivation. 4. Both ETOH (50%, 5 ml kg-1, orally) and PBT (200 mg kg-1, orally) significantly decreased ex vivo gastric cytosolic prostaglandin inactivation. PhCL28A (30 mg kg-1, orally or i.p.) decreased prostaglandin inactivation still further after ulcerogen treatment except when given i.p. before ETOH treatment. SZP (100 mg kg-1) had a similar effect when given orally before PBT treatment. 5. When the prostaglandin content of the stomach homogenates was used as a measure of ex vivo prostaglandin synthesis in the PBT experiments, PhCL28A 30 mg kg-' orally (but not i.p.) produced an 88% increase in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels, but had no effect on 6-keto-PGF,, or thromboxane B2 formation during homogenization. SZP (100mg kg' i.p. or orally) was without effect. 6. We conclude from these results that the anti gastric ulcer activity of SZP and PhCL28A is independent of prostaglandin inactivation and endogenous prostaglandin formation is probably not involved.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Failure of anti-inflammatory steroids to inhibit prostaglandin release from the hydronephrotic rabbit kidney.

The release of prostaglandins E2, F2 alpha, I2 and thromboxane A2 from isolated perfused normal and hydronephrotic rabbit kidneys was investigated by extraction and radioimmunoassay. In both types of kidneys, basal PG efflux increased with time and was not altered by co-perfusion with dexamethasone or hydrocortisone. Several vasoactive substances at 1 to 4 micrograms (e.g., bradykinin, angiotensin II, substance P, noradrenaline and vasopressin) caused release of additional amounts of prostaglandins. PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha were the major prostanoids detected, but substantial amounts of PGF2 alpha were also found. Thromboxane A2 was not released from normal kidneys. In hydronephrotic kidneys there was greatly augmented release of prostaglandins E2 and I2, some increases in PGF2 alpha, and the appearance of substantial amounts of thromboxane A2 (measured as immunoreactive TXB2) when the kidneys were challenged with angiotensin, bradykinin and vasopressin, and smaller augmentation of the response to noradrenaline and substance P. There was no evidence that these evoked increases in renal PG output could be inhibited by dexamethasone or hydrocortisone. Some explanations for the failure of steroids to alter prostanoid metabolism from arachidonate in rabbit kidney are discussed, and it is proposed that there are clear exceptions to the concept that steroids inhibit prostaglandin generation in intact tissues.

Angiotensin II↗