Effects of agglutination on tissue factor,D-dimer and endothelial cells in rats

ATM: to explore the effects of agglutination on tissue factor (TF), D-dimer and endothelial cells in vivo. METHODS: Forty-two SPF SD rats (male and female, 180~200 g) were randomly divided into normal saline control group, and different concentrations (5, 10 and 20 g/L) of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) groups and inactivated PHA groups, with 6 rats in each group. The rats were injected with normal saline, PHA and inactivated PHA through the tail vein respectively. The plasma contents of TF and D-dimer were detected by ELISA. The pulmonary capillary endothelial cells of the rats were observed under electron microscope. RESULTS: The plasma levels of TF and D-dimer were significantly higher in all PHA groups than those in normal saline group and 3 corresponding inactivated PHA groups. Compared with normal saline group, the pulmonary capillary endothelial cells of the rats in each PHA group were damaged, characterized by endothelial cell swelling and dissolution, cytoplasm osteoporosis, unclear boundary, mitochondrial swelling and thick basement membrane. In all inactivated PHA-groups, the structures of the endothelial cells were normal. CONCLUSION: PHA-induced agglutination damages capillary endothelial cells and causes the disorders of the coagulation-fibrinolysis system.