ANTI-THROMBOTIC ACTIVITY OF GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS OF MAMMALIAN ORIGIN - INVIVO EXPERIMENTS IN THE RABBIT

Experimental thrombosis was induced by insertion of collagen coated nylon threads into rabbit veins. Both the weight (W) and protein content (P) of the thrombus were measured. Glycosaminoglycans of mammalian origin (GAG), given intravenously at doses of 1.25, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg decreased the thrombus (W) by 24%, 49% and 74% and (P) by 24%, 51% and 71%. These glycosaminoglycans were also active when given orally at doses of 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, with a decrease in thrombus W of 15%, 44% and 67% and P of 16%, 49% and 71%. On this experimental model, dipyridamole (2.5, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg i.v.), decreased thrombus W by 7%, 32%, 49% and 50% and P by 9%, 38%, 63% and 62%; sulfinpyrazone (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg p.o.), decreased thrombus W by 11%, 26% and 48% and P by 17%, 32% and 57%. Heparin (0.48, 0.68, 0.96 or 1.92 mg/kg i.v.), reduced thrombus W by 30%, 43%, 67% and 79% and P by 30%, 39%, 59% and 71%. Heparin administered orally at the dose of 50 mg/kg failed to affect thrombus formation. © 1979 The Italian Pharmacological Society.