Single Low Dose of Human Recombinant Antithrombin (ATryn) has no Impact on Endotoxin-Induced Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation: An Experimental Randomized Open Label Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Antithrombin (AT) III physiological levels are decreased during septic shock and supplementation therapy could therefore be beneficial. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that the use of recombinant human AT could reduce disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurrence. METHODS: We conducted a randomized open label controlled experimental study. Ten female "Large White" pigs were challenged with i.v. infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Two groups of 5 pigs were randomly assigned to receive either recombinant human AT 100 U/kg over 30 min (ATryn group) or 0.9% saline (control group). AT III levels, coagulation, hemostasis, inflammation parameters, hemodynamics, and microcirculatory parameters were measured over a 5-h period. Immediately after euthanasia, kidneys were withdrawn for histology evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests and Dunn's test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: AT III activity was significantly higher in the ATryn group than in the control group from 60% (213% [203-223] vs. 104% [98-115], P = 0.008, respectively) to 300 min (115% [95-124] vs. 79% [67-93], P = 0.03). Recombinant human AT supplementation had no impact on hemodynamics, microcirculatory parameters, and sequential changes of coagulation parameters (platelet count, fibrinogen level, thrombin-AT complexes, and von Willebrand factor). Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α values were statistically the same for both groups throughout the study. Percentage of thrombosed glomeruli and percentage of thrombosed capillary in glomerulus were not significantly different between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our model of endotoxic shock, a single low dose of recombinant human AT did not prevent DIC occurrence, severity, inflammatory profile, or hemodynamic alterations.

Sodium lactate improves renal microvascular thrombosis compared to sodium bicarbonate and 0.9% NaCl in a porcine model of endotoxic shock: an experimental randomized open label controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Sodium lactate seemed to improve fluid balance and avoid fluid overload. The objective of this study was to determine if these beneficial effects can be at least partly explained by an improvement in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)-associated renal microvascular thrombosis. METHODS: Ancillary work of an interventional randomized open label controlled experimental study. Fifteen female "Large White" pigs (2 months old) were challenged with intravenous infusion of E. coli endotoxin. Three groups of five animals were randomly assigned to receive different fluids: a treatment group received sodium lactate 11.2% (SL group); an isotonic control group received 0.9% NaCl (NC group); a hypertonic control group, with the same amount of osmoles and sodium than SL group, received sodium bicarbonate 8.4% (SB group). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) markers, coagulation and inflammation parameters were measured over a 5-h period. Immediately after euthanasia, kidneys were withdrawn for histological study. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests and the Dunn correction for multiple comparisons. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The direct immunofluorescence study revealed that the percentage of capillary sections thrombosed in glomerulus were significantly lesser in SL group [5 (0-28) %] compared to NC [64 (43-79) %, p = 0.01] and SB [64 (43-79), p = 0.03] groups. Alterations in platelet count and fibrinogen level occurred earlier and were significantly more pronounced in both control groups compared to SL group (p < 0.05 at 210 and 300 min). The increase in thrombin-antithrombin complexes was significantly higher in NC [754 (367-945) µg/mL; p = 0.03] and SB [463 (249-592) µg/mL; p = 0.03] groups than in SL group [176 (37-265) µg/mL]. At the end of the experiment, creatinine clearance was significantly higher in SL group [55.46 (30.07-67.85) mL/min] compared to NC group [1.52 (0.17-27.67) mL/min, p = 0.03]. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we report that sodium lactate improves DIC-associated renal microvascular thrombosis and preserves GFR. These findings could at least partly explain the better fluid balance observed with sodium lactate infusion.

Human Recombinant Antithrombin (ATryn®) Administration Improves Survival and Prevents Intravascular Coagulation After Intraportal Islet Transplantation in a Piglet Model.

Human islet transplantation is a viable treatment option for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, pancreatic islet inflammation after transplantation induced by innate immune responses is likely to hinder graft function. This is mediated by incompatibility between islets and the blood interface, known as instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR). Herein we hypothesized that portal venous administration of islet cells with human recombinant antithrombin (ATryn®), a serine protease inhibitor (serpin), which plays a central role in the physiological regulation of coagulation and exerts indirect anti-inflammatory activities, may offset coagulation abnormalities such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and IBMIR. The current prospective, randomized experiment was conducted using an established preclinical pig model. Three groups were constituted for digested pancreatic tissue transplantation (0.15 ml/kg): control, NaCl 0.9% (n = 7); gold standard, heparin (25 UI/kg) (n = 7); and human recombinant ATryn® (500 UI/kg) (n = 7). Blood samples were collected over time (T0 to 24 h), and biochemical, coagulation, and inflammatory parameters were evaluated. In both the control and heparin groups, one animal died after a portal thrombosis, while no deaths occurred in the ATryn®-treated group. As expected, islet transplantation was associated with an increase in plasma IL-6 or TNF-α levels in all three groups. However, DIC was only observed in the control group, an effect that was suppressed after ATryn® administration. ATryn® administration increased antithrombin activity by 800%, which remained at 200% for the remaining period of the study, without any hemorrhagic complications. These studies suggest that coadministration of ATryn® and pancreatic islets via intraportal transplantation may be a valuable therapeutic approach for DIC without risk for islets and subjects.

IMPACT OF OBESITY ON ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION.

An early activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis occurs during sepsis, leading to the syndrome of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Obesity has been demonstrated to be a hypercoagulable and hypofibrinolytic state, but its impact on DIC has never been studied. In this study, we aimed to determine if obesity impairs DIC in an acute endotoxic shock model using minipigs. This was a prospective, comparative, and experimental ancillary study approved by the Animal Ethics Committee. Pigs were chosen as a clinically relevant species, resembling humans in coagulation reactions. Four groups of five "Yucatan" minipigs were studied: lean and obese control groups, a lean lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group receiving Escherichia coli endotoxin (LPS), and an obese LPS group receiving the same endotoxin dose. We measured standard coagulation parameters (prothrombin time [PT], platelet count, and fibrinogen levels), thrombin-antithrombin complexes, tissue-type plasminogen activator, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. All measurements were performed at baseline and 30, 60, 90, 150, and 300 min. Results were given as median with interquartile ranges. At baseline, platelet count (477 [428 - 532] G/L vs. 381 [307 - 442] G/L; P = 0.005) and fibrinogen levels (4.6 [3.8 - 5.2] g/L vs. 2 [1.8 - 2.9] g/L; P < 0.001) were significantly higher, whereas PT (80% [76% - 92%] vs. 96% [89% - 100%]; P = 0.01) was significantly lower in obese pigs compared with lean pigs. In the LPS groups, administration of endotoxin resulted in a typical hypokinetic shock with DIC. The decrease in coagulation parameters (PT, platelet count, and fibrinogen levels) and the increase in thrombin-antithrombin complexes (581 [382 - 1,057] µg/mL vs. 247 [125 - 369] µg/mL at 150 min; P = 0.03) were significantly more important in the obese LPS group compared with those in the lean LPS group. Concerning the fibrinolytic reaction, we found a slightly more elevated increase of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in the obese LPS group at 300 min (481 [365 - 617] ng/mL vs. 355 [209 - 660] ng/mL; P = 0.66). In our model of endotoxic shock, obese pigs developed a more severe DIC with a more severe procoagulant response.

Impact of endotoxin challenge in obese pigs.

Studies exploring the influence of obesity on septic shock remain limited and controversial. Pigs were chosen as a clinically relevant species, resembling to humans in various functions. We hypothesize obesity may impair porcine acute endotoxic shock. Four groups of five "Yucatan" minipigs were studied: lean and obese control groups, lean lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group receiving Escherichia coli endotoxin (LPS) and obese LPS group receiving the same endotoxin dose. We measured hemodynamic and oxygenation parameters, skin microvascular blood flow at rest and during reactive hyperemia, von Willebrand factor, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6. All measurements were performed at baseline and at 30, 60, 90, 150, and 300 min. Results were given as median with 25th to 75th interquartile range. Control groups remained stable during the study period. In LPS groups, administration of endotoxin resulted in a typical hypokinetic shock. In obese LPS group at 300 min, we observed a significant impairment of cardiac index (1.2 [1.06-1.45] vs. 1.7 [1.57-1.97] L/min per m, P = 0.008) compared with the lean LPS group; moreover, pulmonary hypertension (mean arterial pressure: 42 [39-47] vs. 32 [28-34] mmHg, P = 0.008), hypoxemia (partial pressure of oxygen: 216 [178-262] vs. 325 [285-414] mmHg, P = 0.02), and lactate levels (5.8 [4.2-6.8] vs. 3.9 [2.2-5.5] mmol/L, P = 0.04) were significantly higher compared with the lean LPS group. Throughout the study, rest flow and peak flow during reactive hyperemia were more decreased in the obese LPS group. Compared with the lean LPS group, tumor necrosis factor α levels at 60 min (269 [178-428] vs. 126 [105-166] ng/mL, P = 0.03) and interleukin 6 levels at 300 min (101 [61-142] vs. 52 [36-64] ng/mL, P = 0.03) were significantly higher in the obese LPS group. In our model of endotoxic shock, obese pigs developed a more severe hemodynamic failure with pronounced microcirculatory dysfunction and proinflammatory response.

Intravenous administration of activated protein C in Pseudomonas-induced lung injury: impact on lung fluid balance and the inflammatory response.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) induces a coagulation/fibrinolysis imbalance and leads to fibrin deposition. The protein C pathway is an important regulator of the coagulation system and reduces the inflammatory response. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) in the early phase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa)-induced lung injury. METHODS: The study was conducted in vivo on a rat model of Pa-induced ALI. Continuous intravenous (IV) rhAPC was administrated simultaneously with intratracheal (IT) Pa. We instilled into the airspaces a 5% bovine albumin solution with 1 mu(Ci of (125)I-albumin and injected IV 1 mu(Ci of (111)In-albumin to measure lung liquid clearance (LLC) and endothelial injury. Cytokines levels (TNFalpha and IL-6) and thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes were measured in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at 4 hours. Four groups were compared: control (CTR), pneumonia (PNP) receiving IT Pa (0.5 ml/kg of 1 x 10(9) cfu), APC: IV rhAPC (300 microg/kg/h), A-PNP: IT Pa /IV rhAPC. RESULTS: Alveolar-capillary permeability was increased in the PNP versus the CTR group (0.28 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.03 +/- 0.01, p < 0.05). IV rhAPC in Pa-induced ALI led to further injury (0.47 +/- 0.17 vs. 0.28 +/- 0.08, p = 0.2). The LLC was significantly decreased in the A-PNP group compared to PNP group (9.1 +/- (4.3% vs. 33.4 +/- 2.6%, p < 0.05). The lung wet to dry weight ratio was significantly increased in the PNP group (4.62 +/- 0.31) compared to the CTR group (3.87 +/- 0.22, p < 0.05). IV rhAPC administration tends to increase this parameter in Pa-induced ALI (5.80 +/- 0.66, p = 0.07). These findings were associated with a loss of inflammatory response compartmentalization measured by TNFalpha and IL-6 systemic levels. TAT complexes in BALF were increased in the A-PNP group (23.17 +/- 2.89 ng/ml) compared to the CTR group (0.92 +/- 0.17 ng/ml, p < 0.05) and the PNP group (11.06 +/- 2.76 ng/ml, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: rhAPC reduces LLC following Pa-induced ALI and may influence pulmonary edema formation. The early massive fibrin formation is probably beneficial in ALI limiting both the extent of injury and permeability disorders.

Massive alveolar thrombin activation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced acute lung injury.

In acute lung injury (ALI), a coagulation/fibrinolysis imbalance leads to fibrin deposition, persistence of which contributes to fibrotic evolution. Our study evaluated the effects of early inhibition of coagulation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa)-induced ALI through the use of recombinant human antithrombin (rhAT). The study was conducted in vivo on a murine model of Pa-induced ALI. Intravenous rhAT was administered simultaneously with intratracheal Pa. Four experimental groups were compared: CTR, intratracheal saline (0.5 mL/kg)/intravenous saline (1 mL); PNP, intratracheal Pa (0.5 mL/kg of 2 x 10(9) cfu)/intravenous saline; AT, intratracheal saline/intravenous rhAT (500 IU/kg); ATPNP, intratracheal Pa/intravenous rhAT. Epithelial and endothelial permeabilities were evaluated with radiolabeled albumin flux across the alveolar barrier (125I- and 131I-labeled albumin). Thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes levels were used as markers of coagulation activation in blood samples and in BAL fluid. Epithelial and endothelial protein permeability were increased in Pa-induced ALI versus control. Intravenous rhAT administration led to further permeability disorders. Administration of rhAT in Pa ALI led to a rise in TAT complexes in ATPNP blood serum and BAL fluids compared with the other groups. In Pa-induced ALI the administration intravenous rhAT leads to major histologic damage, alveolar capillary barrier injury, and permeability increase. Such effects of the inhibition of thrombin activation by rhAT lead to the hypothesis of a probable beneficial role of early coagulation activation in ALI as a factor limiting both the extent of injury and permeability disorders. Our study suggests that inhibition of this initial procoagulative imbalance is potentially dangerous.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: medical and biological monitoring of six pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare cause of severe thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. METHODS: Six pregnancies in five patients with TTP were followed prospectively over 5 years. Ultralarge von Willebrand factor (ULvWF) multimers and cleaving protease (cp) levels were measured. RESULTS: TTP relapsed, complicating four of the six pregnancies. Of three patients who relapsed, two had complete or partial vWF-cleaving protease (vWF-cp) deficiency, and one had a normal vWF-cleaving protease level. In all three we found abnormal UL multimers. The two women who did not relapse had normal vWF-cleaving protease level and an absence or loss of UL multimers. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant patients with a history of TTP must be followed in a tertiary obstetric unit with plasmapheresis available. Influence of vWF-cleaving protease and vWF multimeric abnormalities on TTP relapsing during pregnancy has to be evaluated in a further multicentre study.

Combined antithrombin and protein C supplementation in meningococcal purpura fulminans: a pharmacokinetic study.

PURPOSE: To document in patients with meningococcal purpura fulminans (PF), the effects of a combined supplementation with antithrombin (AT) and protein C (PC) plasma concentrates and to estimate the pharmacokinetics and dose requirements of each inhibitor. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 15 patients. SETTING. One paediatric and one adult ICU in a university hospital. INTERVENTIONS: In addition to standard intensive care, all patients received a 100 IU/kg loading dose of AT and PC concentrates, followed by a continuous infusion (AT: 100-150 IU.kg.day; PC: 100 IU.kg.day in adults, and 400 IU/kg in infants). MEASUREMENTS: Clinical data, coagulation, and fibrinolysis parameters, AT and PC activities, and free protein S (PS) levels were sequentially measured. Restitution ratio, median increment after supplementation, and half-life of clearance from plasma were calculated for the two plasma substitutes. RESULTS. At admission, all patients had a severe decrease in AT, PC, and PS levels. The supplementation regimen induced a substantial increase in AT and PC activities, peaking at H18 and H48, respectively. The supplementation procedure did not modify free PS levels. The median values of AT and PC restitution ratio, increment in plasma activity observed after 100 IU/kg concentrate, and apparent half-life of clearance from plasma were 0.85 U.ml.U.kg and 0.59 U.ml.U.kg, 23% and 21%, 16 h and 6 h, respectively. CONCLUSION: If AT and PC concentrates are to be given in fulminant meningococcemia, the doses of supplementation should be at least 150 IU/kg AT and 250 IU/kg PC as loading dose and 150 IU/kg AT and 200 IU/kg PC as daily maintenance therapy. Taking into account the individual variability in inhibitor deficiency and restitution ratio, repeated measurements of plasma levels are mandatory to obtain a patient-based adjustment of the supplementation.