Summary
A plasma factor, “coagulopoietin”, present in animals with depleted vitamin K-dependent
coagulation factors, appears to enhance activity of these factors in normal animals.
We have investigated the effects of “coagulopoietin” on synthesis of certain coagulation
proteins by the isolated rat liver perfused for eight hours. Liver donor rats received
plasma injections from vitamin K-deficient rats or from normal rats 24 hr before sacrifice.
Coagulation activity of Factor VII and Factor II in liver perfusate samples was measured
with a coagulation assay; Factor II synthesis was also measured by rocket immunoelectrophoresis
and by activation with E. carinatus venom. Cumulative hepatic synthesis of. Factor
VII coagulation activity was increased by 43% when rat liver donors received vitamin
K-deficient rat plasma compared to normal rat plasma. Cumulative synthesis of Factor
II coagulation activity was increased by 51%, but synthesis of the protein measured
immunologically or by activation with venom was not affected. The “coagulopoietin”
factor in these studies appears to increase measurable coagulation factor activity
without increasing total protein synthesis.
Keywords
Liver perfusion - Coagulopoietin - Vitamin K - Factor II
