The interaction of salicylate and vitamin K in synthesis of Factor II (prothrombin).

ABSTRACT

The effects of sodium salicylate on synthesis of a vitamin K-dependent plasma coagulation protein, Factor II (prothrombin) was studied using the isolated rat liver perfused for 10 hours in vitro. Cumulative synthesis of Factor II was measured by a standard coagulation assay, by activation with E. carinatus venom, and by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. When sodium salicylate 5 mg or 25 mg was added to the liver perfusate (volume 100 ml) at the outset of the perfusion, cumulative synthesis of both coagulation activity and immunoreactive protein was significantly less than that seen in control perfusions containing no salicylate. The inhibitory effect of salicylate was prevented by pretreatment of rat liver donors with supplemental vitamin K injected 24 hours before sacrifice. Although some interaction between salicylate and vitamin K was apparent from these experiments, the results from vitamin K-deficient rat liver donors were quite different from those containing salicylate. There was no assayable Factor II coagulation activity produced in 10 hours of perfusion of vitamin K-deficient rat livers, but cumulative synthesis of immunoreactive Factor II was quite comparable to that seen in control perfusions.