Experimental DMNA induced hepatic necrosis: early course of haemostatic disorders in the rat

The course of haemostasis defects was investigated in dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA) acute liver necrosis. Before 18 hr there was no evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) nor of abnormal fibrinolysis. At 12 hr the level of the vitamin-K-dependent factors (factors II, VII, IX and X) was reduced to 25-63% of control. Factors V and VIII:C levels decreased to about 10 and 20% by 12 hr. Factor V was the only molecule which decreased significantly by 6 hr. The rapid decrease of these proteins might be related to an early parenchymal functional impairment attested by early structural lesions observed in the endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus. The isolated decrease of factor V in the absence of any significant change in serum transaminase (SGOT and SGPT) levels is proposed, at least in the rat, as an early criterion of hepatic failure.