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Published on: October 12, 2012

Pravastatin potentiates the anticoagulant effects of low molecular weight heparin

Jennifer E Zimmer1, Charles R Spillert, Sirisha Puppala

  • 1Department of Surgery, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, G-502 Medical Sciences Building, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102-2757, USA.

Thrombosis Research
|July 1, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Pravastatin sodium (PS) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) together significantly prolong blood clotting time. This synergistic antithrombotic effect suggests PS inhibits fibrin formation, supporting its non-lipid-lowering benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Hematology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Statins reduce coronary events irrespective of LDL-C levels.
  • The precise mechanism of pravastatin's non-lipid-lowering effects remains debated.
  • Pravastatin has demonstrated in vitro prolongation of clotting time.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the synergistic effect of pravastatin sodium (PS) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on in vitro clotting time.
  • To test the hypothesis that pravastatin exerts antithrombotic effects by inhibiting fibrin formation.

Main Methods:

  • Human whole blood was treated with PS and dalteparin (a LMWH).
  • Clotting time was measured using a Sonoclot Coagulation Analyzer.
  • The analyzer is sensitive to early fibrin generation.

Main Results:

  • Both PS and LMWH significantly prolonged clotting time individually compared to control.
  • The combination of PS and LMWH resulted in a significantly greater prolongation of clotting time than either agent alone.
  • All observed differences in clotting time were statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

  • The combination of PS and LMWH exhibits a synergistic effect on prolonging clotting time.
  • This suggests pravastatin sodium inhibits the coagulation cascade and fibrin formation.
  • These findings support an antithrombotic mechanism for pravastatin's beneficial effects.
Abstract

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