Hemostasis in the absence of clotting factors.
BACKGROUND
This study tests whether the hemostatic action of poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (p-GlcNAc) fiber material involves vasoconstrictor release leading to closure of an aortic laceration.


METHODS
A 22-gauge cannula was inserted into an infrarenal aortic segment of a rat. Surrounding ligatures were tied, and the aorta was flushed with 60 mL of saline from a reservoir held at 80 cm. A 23-gauge aortic puncture was made. The time taken to empty the reservoir was recorded.


RESULTS
Control patches led to an emptying time of 295 seconds, whereas p-GlcNAc patches increased this time to greater than 600 seconds. Ten minutes after patch removal, the emptying time decreased to 330 seconds. The rats were treated intravenously with endothelin receptor antagonists BQ-485 or JKC-301. The emptying time shortened to control values, despite the use of the p-GlcNAc fiber-based patch.


CONCLUSIONS
The mechanism of hemostasis by poly-N-acetyl glucosamine involves endothelin release independent of formed elements of blood.
Department Surgery, Harvard Medical School, and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Joanne
J
Favuzza
Herbert B
HB
Hechtman
D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000293:injuries*; D001381:Azepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D001458:Bandages; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D065130:Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006489:Hemostatic Techniques / Q000592:standards; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications*
D001381:Azepines; D065130:Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists; D006490:Hemostatics; C096173:JKC 301; D009842:Oligopeptides; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A; C113831:poly-N-acetyl glucosamine; C083116:BQ 485; D000117:Acetylglucosamine