New Methodological Approach for Coagulation Assays Using Chicken Plasma Intrinsic Properties

Abstract

Background: Sensitivity of classical coagulation assays by using mammalian plasmas to pro- and anticoagulant compounds including venom or toxins occurs on a microscale level (micrograms). Although it improves responses to agonists, recalcification triggers a relatively fast thrombin formation process. The Recalcification Time (RT) of factor XII- deficient Chicken Plasma (CP) is comparatively long (=1800 seconds) when compared to human plasma or others. Our objective was to compare its sensitivity with that presented by human plasma samples to Unfractionated Heparin (UH), a prototype anticoagulant compound, under similar conditions through rotational thromboelastometry. Methods: To find doses of UH sufficient enough to prolong the Clotting Time (CT) parameter of these activated plasmas to values within their normal RT ranges. Results: In total, 0.0065±0.0009 IU of UH (n=6) was detected in 260μL of CP samples, but only 0.125±0.012 IU of UH was sufficient to induce a similar effect in activated human plasma samples. Conclusion: The higher sensitivity of CP to anticoagulants could be useful for (a) detection of anticoagulant compounds in substances of unknown origin; (b) purification procedures of anticoagulant toxins from crude animal venoms and (c) determination of relative potencies of agonists and their selective antagonists such as pharmaceutical agents, antivenoms or natural inhibitors of venom toxins with a better result in kinetic clothing parameters. Keywords: Coagulation process; Chicken; Factor XII deficiency; Animal models; Biomedical research; Rotational thromboelastometry