We have tried a kinetical approach to characterize the dynamics of thrombin generation,
thrombin action and heparin-enhanced inhibitors in vivo. Integrals (φ) of free thrombin
concentration over time were calculated from fibrinogen decrease to characterize tissue
thromboplastin-induced DIC in the dog. DIC with φ < 8nMmin was reversible. Dynamic
thrombin inhibition (DTI), measured as pseudo-first order rate constant of thrombin
inactivation by plasma (baseline DTI = 6.31± 0.79/min, n=30) increased to 68.69±59.98/min
(n=7) with heparin (H) and to 22.48±14.91/min (n=5 with pentosan polysulfate (PPS).
DTI correlated significantly with heparin doses (p< 0.002), and with the prolongation
of APTT (p<0.0 2) and of prothrombin time (p < 0.05). The efficiency β of tissue thromboplastin
(Tp) to trigger DIC ( φ per ml TP) was reduced from β =3.81±3.16nMmin/ml to 0.74±0.52nMmin/ml
by H (p < 0.01) and to 1.16±1.10nMmin/ml (n.s.) by PPS. As expected from the product
DTI.φ = 23.4 ± 13.8nM there was no detectable decrease of prothrombin, of the combined
activity of antithrombin III + heparin cofactor II (ATHC) or of heparin cofactor II
(HC, specific assay by dermatan sulfate activation) in reversible DIC without glycosaminoglycan
protection. However, increasing doses of TP at constant PPS protection induced a statistically
significant and persistent decrease of prothrombin by 17.6±9.91 and of HC by 20.4±8.81
indicating HC enhancement by PPS in vivo. The model is suitable for the study of glycosa-minoglycans
and thrombin inhibitors.
