IN-VITRO EFFECTS OF METHYLMERCURIC CHLORIDE ON BLOOD-PLATELETS AND FIBRINOGEN INTERACTIONS - CLOT FORMATION AND FIBRINOLYSIS

Turbidity changes of human plasma clot formation and lysis were record ed using a platelet aggregometer. The relative fibrin turbidity of the thrombin-induced clots made from purified fibrinogen and plasma sampl es-platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-poor plasma (PPP), and PPP + p latelet lysate-increased with methylmercuric chloride (MMC) in a conce ntration-dependent manner. The rate of streptokinase-induced lysis was reduced in clots formed in the presence of MMC. The greatest antifibr inolytic activity was observed at MMC concentrations from 1 - 10 muM/L . Some observations concerning the labelled fibrinogen binding to wash ed pig platelets were discussed. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.