ABSTRACT
The present in vitro study of the effects of iron on the blood coagulation mechanism in rats showed that addition of ferrous sulphate to pooled rat plasma resulted in inhibition of blood coagulation, as shown by prolongation of the clotting parameters tested, an effect which was dose- dependent. In vitro addition of ferrous sulphate to rat PRP in doses of 2-5 mg/mI significantly decreased platelet aggregation in response to ADP, while collagen-induced aggregation was significantly diminished in presence of the higher doses of ferrous sulphate [4-5 mg/mI]. Also, preincubation of ferrous sulphate with thrombin or with pure fibrinogen indicated that iron could produce decrease of thrombin activity as well as impairment of fibrinogen clottability. In vitro addition of copper sulphate [300 - 1000 micro g/ml] elicited an anticoagulant effect, though thrombin time was markedly shortened with all tested concentrations of copper sulphate. Addition of copper sulphate to PRP produced inhibition of platelet aggregation in response to PRP produced inhibition of platelet aggregation in response to ADP and to collagen. Preincubation of copper sulphate with thrombin resulted in slight enhancement of thrombin activity followed by inhibition, while preincubation of copper sulphate with pure fibrinogen caused only minimal impairment of fibrinogen clottability. Also, addition of gold chloride in doses of 50 - 500 micro g/ml to plasma in vitro produced a dose- dependent progressive prolongation of all clotting parameters tested, the effects reaching a maximum after 30 mm. incubation. Further the in vitro addition of gold chloride to rat PRP resulted in marked inhibition of platelet aggregation in response to both ADP and collagen. In addition, preincubation of gold chloride with thrombin or with pure figrinogen showed that gold exerted an antithrombin action and prolonged the fibrinogen clotting time indicating impaired fibrinogen clottability