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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Ferric Chloride-induced Murine Thrombosis Models
Published on: September 5, 2016
Abacavir Induces Arterial Thrombosis in a Murine Model
Victor Collado-Diaz1, Isabel Andujar2, Ainhoa Sanchez-Lopez1
1Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Background:
The purinergic system is known to underlie prothrombotic and proinflammatory vascular programs, making the profile of experimental actions demonstrated by abacavir compatible with thrombogenesis. However, direct evidence of a prothrombotic effect by the drug has been lacking.
Methods:
The present study appraised the effects of abacavir in a well-validated animal model of arterial thrombosis. The role of ATP-P2X7 receptors in the actions of the drug was also assessed, and the actions of recognized vascular-damaging agents and other nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were evaluated and compared to those of abacavir.
Results:
Abacavir dose-dependently promoted thrombus formation. This effect was reversed by a P2X7-receptor antagonist and was nonexistent in P2X7 knockout mice. The effects of abacavir were similar to those of diclofenac and rofecoxib. Other NRTIs had no thrombosis-related effects.
Conclusion:
Abacavir promotes arterial thrombosis through interference with purinergic signaling, suggesting a possible biological mechanism for the clinical association of abacavir with cardiovascular diseases.
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