Thromboplastin generation: effect of the Bell-Alton reagent and Russell viper venom on prothrombin consumption.

Abstract

The Bell-Alton reagent (a chloroform extract of acetone-dehydrated brain tissue), Inosithin (a phospholipid obtained from soybeans), and an extract of hemolyzed erythrocytes each can serve as a platelet substitute in the generation of thromboplastin, and each brings about marked consumption of prothrombin when added to normal native plateletdepleted human plasma. When these agents are added to native hemophilic plasma, no detectable amount of prothrombin consumption occurs, whereas good utilization of prothrombin is found when an aqueous extract of rabbit brain is added. Russell viper venom lacks the ability to cause prothrombin consumption when added to either normal or hemophilic native plasma. When added in conjunction with the Bell-Alton reagent or Inosithin, it appears to act independently rather than synergistically with the platelet substitutes.