MODULATION OF ENDOTHELIAL AND PLATELET-FUNCTION BY A POLYDEOXYRIBONUCLEOTIDE DERIVED DRUG DEFIBROTIDE - A DUAL MECHANISM IN THE CONTROL OF VASCULAR PATHOLOGY

Defibrotide is a polydeoxyribonucleotide derived antithrombotic and an ti-ischemic drug whose mechanism of clinical actions is not fully unde rstood at this time (1-7). In order to study the effect of defibrotide on platelet mediated contraction of the vessel wall, a coupled aggreg ometry/isolated rabbit aortic strip preparation technique was employed (8). In this technique platelet mediated contraction of the aorta and platelet aggregation responses can be readily assessed to study the d ual mechanisms of drugs with possible effects on the hemostatic and va scular systems.