Thromb Haemost 1985; 54(04): 833-837
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1660143
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

The Effect of Pentosan Polysulphate (SP54) on the Fibrinolytic Enzyme System - A Human Volunteer and Experimental Animal Study

N A Marsh
The Department of Physiology, King‘s College, University of London, London, UK
,
P M Peyser
The Department of Physiology, King‘s College, University of London, London, UK
,
L J Creighton
*   The Division of Blood Products, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, London, UK
,
M Mahmoud
*   The Division of Blood Products, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, London, UK
,
P J Gaffney
*   The Division of Blood Products, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, London, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 04 February 1985

Accepted 23 September 1985

Publication Date:
19 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

Pentosan polysulphate causes an increase in plasminogen activator activity in plasma both after oral ingestion and after subcutaneous injection. The effect is greatest after 3 h and has disappeared by 6 h. Repeat doses by mouth over 5 days elicit a similar response. The recorded increase in activity is due largely to the release of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) from the endothelium according to the antigen assay although there could be a small contribution from Factor XH-related “intrinsic” fibrinolysis induced in vitro. SP54 enhances activity ex vivo by a non-specific surface effect, and this phenomenon may contribute the increased levels of activity seen in vitro. Administration of SP54 to animals elicits a similar increase in activator activity, the intramuscular route being slightly more effective. Results with an inferior vena cava thrombosis model in the rat suggest that pentosan polysulphate may induce a thrombolytic effect.