The zeolite-based haemostatic agent QuikClot releases calcium into the blood and promotes blood clotting in vitro
Li J1, Cao W, Lv XX, Jiang L, Li YJ, Li WZ, Chen SZ, Li XY. 1Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710038, China.
Abstract
AIM:
To examine the changes in electrolyte concentrations in blood following the addition of the zeolite-based haemostatic agent QuikClot, and the effects of zeolite on blood coagulation in vitro.
METHODS:
Fresh blood was collected from healthy adult volunteers and sheep, and the electrolyte concentrations in the blood were measured using a blood electrolyte analyser. Zeolite Saline Solution (ZSS) was prepared by adding 2 g of zeolite to 0.9% NaCl solution (4, 8, or 16 mL). The electrolytes in ZSS were measured using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of the blood were measured using the test-tube method. The activated clotting time (ACT) and clotting rate (CR) of the blood were measured using the Sonoclot Coagulation and Platelet Function Analyser.
RESULTS:
The addition of zeolite (50 and 100 mg) to 2 mL of human blood significantly increased the Ca(2+) concentration, whilst the Na(+) and K(+) concentrations were significantly reduced. The addition of zeolite (50 and 100 mg) to 0.9% NaCl solution (2 mL) caused similar changes in Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations. Si(4+) (0.2434 g/L) and Al(3+) (0.2575 g/L) were detected in ZSS (2 g/8 mL). The addition of ZSS to sheep’s blood shortened the APTT in a concentration-dependent manner, without altering the PT. ZSS or an aqueous solution of CaCl₂ containing a Ca²⁺ concentration identical to that of ZSS significantly shortened the ACT in human blood without significantly altering the CR, and the effect of ZSS on the ACT was not significantly different from that of CaCl₂.
CONCLUSION:
Zeolite releases Ca(2+) into the blood, thereby accelerating the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation and shortening the time taken for a clot to form.
PMID: 23334236 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC4002488
source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23334236