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Thrombomodulin activity in commercial thromboplastin preparations
Thrombosis Research
|August 1, 1986
Summary
Commercial thromboplastins may contain thrombomodulin, a protein cofactor. However, this study found thrombomodulin contamination in thromboplastins did not affect prothrombin time measurements.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endothelial cells possess thrombomodulin, a cofactor activating protein C with thrombin.
- Commercial thromboplastins, derived from tissues rich in blood vessels, may contain thrombomodulin.
- Thrombomodulin contamination in thromboplastins could theoretically prolong prothrombin time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and impact of thrombomodulin in commercial thromboplastin preparations.
- To determine if thrombomodulin contamination affects prothrombin time assays.
Main Methods:
- Assayed eight commercial thromboplastins for thrombomodulin activity.
- Evaluated the effect of thrombomodulin activity on fibrin formation and activated factor V inhibition.
Main Results:
- Two thromboplastins, Simplastin and Ortho, exhibited significant thrombomodulin activity (64 U/ml and 12.8 U/ml, respectively).
- No delay in fibrin formation or inhibition of activated factor V was observed due to thrombomodulin in the tested thromboplastins.
- Prothrombin time was not significantly affected by the thrombomodulin activity found in these preparations.
Conclusions:
- Commercial thromboplastins can contain thrombomodulin activity.
- Thrombomodulin contamination in thromboplastins does not appear to impact prothrombin time assays.
- The theoretical concerns regarding thrombomodulin's effect on prothrombin time were not substantiated in this study.