MODULATION OF ENDOTHELIAL AND PLATELET-FUNCTION BY A POLYDEOXYRIBONUCLEOTIDE DERIVED DRUG DEFIBROTIDE - A DUAL MECHANISM IN THE CONTROL OF VASCULAR PATHOLOGY

Defibrotide is a polydeoxyribonucleotide derived antithrombotic and anti-ischemic drug whose mechanism of clinical actions is not fully understood at this time (1-7). In order to study the effect of defibrotide on platelet mediated contraction of the vessel wall, a coupled aggregometry/isolated rabbit aortic strip preparation technique was employed (8). In this technique platelet mediated contraction of the aorta and platelet aggregation responses can be readily assessed to study the dual mechanisms of drugs with possible effects on the hemostatic and vascular systems.