Aprotinin Inhibits Protease-Dependent Platelet Aggregation and Thrombosis

Platelet-sparing properties of aprotinin: A scoping review on mechanisms and clinical effects

BACKGROUND

Cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with the risk of acquired coagulopathy, including dysregulated fibrinolysis, which can result in life-threatening bleeding complications. Aprotinin, an antifibrinolytic agent, has been recommended for the prevention of these complications. Its effectiveness has been attributed to its ability to nonspecifically inhibit various serine proteases involved in the coagulation and fibrinolysis cascade. Additionally, aprotinin may protect platelets from CPB-induced dysfunction through a platelet-sparing effect, further enhancing its efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

The biochemical pathways underlying aprotinin's platelet-sparing effect remain unclear. Furthermore, it is uncertain to what extent this effect contributes to reducing blood loss and need for transfusion.

DESIGN

A scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane were searched from inception until 21 December 2023.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies in which a platelet-sparing effect of aprotinin was investigated. These included systematic reviews; experimental, and observational studies describing healthy humans, patients, or animals undergoing any type of surgery; studies in which donated blood was used for in-vitro studies.

RESULTS

Sixty-four studies were deemed eligible, the majority of which observed a platelet-sparing effect, attributing it to the inhibition of platelet aggregation (via protection of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptors), platelet adhesion (by protection of GP Ib receptors), both aggregation and adhesion receptors, proteolysis of protease-activated receptor 1 receptors, platelet activation (by inhibition of plasmin) and platelet activation (by inhibition of thrombin). A dose-dependency of the platelet-sparing effect was investigated in both in-vitro studies and randomised controlled trials, yielding mixed results. No studies have explored the relative contribution of aprotinin's platelet-sparing effect and its antifibrinolytic effect in reducing blood loss and need for transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

This review elucidated current knowledge on how aprotinin influences platelets and exerts its platelet-sparing effect, while highlighting gaps in the existing literature.

Aprotinin (II): Inhalational Administration for the Treatment of COVID-19 and Other Viral Conditions

Aprotinin is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of human proteases that has been approved for the treatment of bleeding in single coronary artery bypass surgery because of its potent antifibrinolytic actions. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an urgent need to find new antiviral drugs. Aprotinin is a good candidate for therapeutic repositioning as a broad-spectrum antiviral drug and for treating the symptomatic processes that characterise viral respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. This is due to its strong pharmacological ability to inhibit a plethora of host proteases used by respiratory viruses in their infective mechanisms. The proteases allow the cleavage and conformational change of proteins that make up their viral capsid, and thus enable them to anchor themselves by recognition of their target in the epithelial cell. In addition, the activation of these proteases initiates the inflammatory process that triggers the infection. The attraction of the drug is not only its pharmacodynamic characteristics but also the possibility of administration by the inhalation route, avoiding unwanted systemic effects. This, together with the low cost of treatment (≈2 Euro/dose), makes it a good candidate to reach countries with lower economic means. In this article, we will discuss the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological characteristics of aprotinin administered by the inhalation route; analyse the main advances in our knowledge of this medication; and the future directions that should be taken in research in order to reposition this medication in therapeutics.

Aprotinin Inhibits Thrombin Generation by Inhibition of the Intrinsic Pathway, but is not a Direct Thrombin Inhibitor

Background  Aprotinin is a broad-acting serine protease inhibitor that has been clinically used to prevent blood loss during major surgical procedures including cardiac surgery and liver transplantation. The prohemostatic properties of aprotinin likely are related to its antifibrinolytic effects, but other mechanisms including preservation of platelet function have been proposed.

Aim  Here we assessed effects of aprotinin on various hemostatic pathways in vitro, and compared effects to tranexamic acid(TXA), which is an antifibrinolytic but not a serine protease inhibitor.

Methods  We used plasma-based clot lysis assays, clotting assays in whole blood, plasma, and using purified proteins, and platelet activation assays to which aprotinin or TXA were added in pharmacological concentrations.

Results  Aprotinin and TXA dose-dependently inhibited fibrinolysis in plasma. Aprotinin inhibited clot formation and thrombin generation initiated via the intrinsic pathway, but had no effect on reactions initiated by tissue factor. However, in the presence of thrombomodulin, aprotinin enhanced thrombin generation in reactions started by tissue factor. TXA had no effect on coagulation. Aprotinin did not inhibit thrombin, only weakly inhibited the TF-VIIa complex and had no effect on platelet activation and aggregation by various agonists including thrombin. Aprotinin and TXA inhibited plasmin-induced platelet activation.

Conclusion  Pharmacologically relevant concentrations of aprotinin inhibit coagulation initiated via the intrinsic pathway. The antifibrinolytic activity of aprotinin likely explains the prohemostatic effects of aprotinin during surgical procedures. The anticoagulant properties may be beneficial during surgical procedures in which pathological activation of the intrinsic pathway, for example by extracorporeal circuits, occurs.

Humanizing the Protease-Activated Receptor (PAR) Expression Profile in Mouse Platelets by Knocking PAR1 into the Par3 Locus Reveals PAR1 Expression Is Not Tolerated in Mouse Platelets

Anti-platelet drugs are the mainstay of pharmacotherapy for heart attack and stroke prevention, yet improvements are continually sought. Thrombin is the most potent activator of platelets and targeting platelet thrombin receptors (protease-activated receptors; PARs) is an emerging anti-thrombotic approach. Humans express two PARs on their platelets–PAR1 and PAR4. The first PAR1 antagonist was recently approved for clinical use and PAR4 antagonists are in early clinical development. However, pre-clinical studies examining platelet PAR function are challenging because the platelets of non-primates do not accurately reflect the PAR expression profile of human platelets. Mice, for example, express Par3 and Par4. To address this limitation, we aimed to develop a genetically modified mouse that would express the same repertoire of platelet PARs as humans. Here, human PAR1 preceded by a lox-stop-lox was knocked into the mouse Par3 locus, and then expressed in a platelet-specific manner (hPAR1-KI mice). Despite correct targeting and the predicted loss of Par3 expression and function in platelets from hPAR1-KI mice, no PAR1 expression or function was detected. Specifically, PAR1 was not detected on the platelet surface nor internally by flow cytometry nor in whole cell lysates by Western blot, while a PAR1-activating peptide failed to induce platelet activation assessed by either aggregation or surface P-selectin expression. Platelets from hPAR1-KI mice did display significantly diminished responsiveness to thrombin stimulation in both assays, consistent with a Par3-/- phenotype. In contrast to the observations in hPAR1-KI mouse platelets, the PAR1 construct used here was successfully expressed in HEK293T cells. Together, these data suggest ectopic PAR1 expression is not tolerated in mouse platelets and indicate a different approach is required to develop a small animal model for the purpose of any future preclinical testing of PAR antagonists as anti-platelet drugs.

Protease-activated receptor 4: from structure to function and back again

Protease-activated receptors are a family of four GPCRs (PAR1-PAR4) with a number of unique attributes. Nearly two and a half decades after the discovery of the first PAR, an antagonist targeting this receptor has been approved for human use. The first-in-class PAR1 antagonist, vorapaxar, was approved for use in the USA in 2014 for the prevention of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with a history of myocardial infarction or with peripheral arterial disease. These recent developments indicate the clinical potential of manipulating PAR function. While much work has been aimed at uncovering the function of PAR1 and, to a lesser extent, PAR2, comparatively little is known regarding the pharmacology and physiology of PAR3 and PAR4. Recent studies have begun to develop the pharmacological and genetic tools required to study PAR4 function in detail, and there is now emerging evidence for the function of PAR4 in disease settings. In this review, we detail the discovery, structure, pharmacology, physiological significance and therapeutic potential of PAR4. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed section on Molecular Pharmacology of G Protein-Coupled Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v173.20/issuetoc.

Approval of the first protease-activated receptor antagonist: Rationale, development, significance, and considerations of a novel anti-platelet agent

Twenty-three years after the discovery of the first thrombin receptor, now known as protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), the first drug targeting this receptor is available for human use. The PAR1 inhibitor, vorapaxar (Zontivity, MSD), was recently approved by the FDA for use in the USA for the prevention of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with a history of myocardial infarction or peripheral artery disease. In this review, we detail the rationale, development, as well as the clinical significance and considerations of vorapaxar, the original PAR antagonist and the latest anti-platelet agent in the pharmaco-armoury against arterial thrombosis.

Aprotinin in cardiac surgery

Aprotinin is a naturally occurring serine protease inhibitor that is being used with increasing frequency in cardiac surgery and beyond to reduce blood loss and the need for perioperative blood transfusion. Through inhibition of serine proteases such as plasmin, aprotinin significantly reduces fibrinolysis, thereby aiding hemostasis during surgical procedures. In addition, aprotinin interacts with other factors in the coagulation and fibrinolytic cascade, creating a hemostatic balance, without increasing the risk of thrombosis. These proven benefits are supplemented by the anti-inflammatory properties of aprotinin, which may help curb some of the deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary bypass. This article will review the discovery of aprotinin, its mechanism of action, dosing and adverse effects, and highlight the major recent trials demonstrating its efficacy.

Activated clotting time (ACT)

The standard assay for monitoring anticoagulation during extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is the activated clotting time (ACT) test, with celite, kaolin, and glass beads being the most commonly used activators to initiate contact activation. The point-of-care ACT test has been the preferred test in catheterization labs and cardiac theatres because it has a number of advantages over laboratory tests (Spinler et al., Ann Pharmacother 39(7-8):1275-1285, 2005): Shorter time between sampling and results. Smaller blood sample size. Availability to have test performed by non-lab personnel. Reduced errors associated with sample mislabeling/mishandling. Decreased risk of sample degradation with time. There are other coagulation monitoring tests available; however these are usually specific and do not take into account the global picture of the entire clotting system. The standard coagulation tests (prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time (TT), and fibrinogen level) are plasma tests measuring plasma haemostasis and not patient haemostasis. The ACT measurement uses whole blood, thereby incorporating the importance of platelets and phospholipids in the role of coagulation. Many of the problems with the haemostatic system during ECLS are caused by the activation of platelets, which are not detected by standard tests. Because an ACT test is nonspecific there are many variables such as hypothermia, platelets, aprotinin, GP IIb/IIIa antagonists, haemodilution, etc. that can alter its results. For this reason it is important to gain an understanding as to how these variables interact for meaningful interpretation of the ACT test result.

Aprotinin and similar protease inhibitors as drugs against influenza

Efforts to develop new antiviral chemotherapeutic approaches are focusing on compounds that target either influenza virus replication itself or host factor(s) that are critical to influenza replication. Host protease mediated influenza hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage is critical for activation of virus infectivity and as such is a chemotherapeutic target. Influenza pathogenesis involves a "vicious cycle" in which host proteases activate progeny virus which in turn amplifies replication and stimulates further protease activities which may be detrimental to the infected host. Aprotinin, a 58 amino acid polypeptide purified from bovine lung that is one of a family of host-targeted antivirals that inhibit serine proteases responsible for influenza virus activation. This drug and similar agents, such as leupeptin and camostat, suppress virus HA cleavage and limit reproduction of human and avian influenza viruses with a single arginine in the HA cleavage site. Site-directed structural modifications of aprotinin are possible to increase its intracellular targeting of cleavage of highly virulent H5 and H7 hemagglutinins possessing multi-arginine/lysine cleavage site. An additional mechanism of action for serine protease inhibitors is to target a number of host mediators of inflammation and down regulate their levels in virus-infected hosts. Aprotinin is a generic drug approved for intravenous use in humans to treat pancreatitis and limit post-operative bleeding. As an antiinfluenzal compound, aprotinin might be delivered by two routes: (i) a small-particle aerosol has been approved in Russia for local respiratory application in mild-to-moderate influenza and (ii) a proposed intravenous administration for severe influenza to provide both an antiviral effect and a decrease in systemic pathology and inflammation.

Modulation of rabbit platelet aggregation and calcium mobilization by platelet cholesterol content

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major contributing factors in atherosclerosis and the development of cardiovascular disease. Platelets from hypercholesterolemic rabbit have an increased cholesterol content and a hypersensitivity to endogenous aggregating agonists. Although rabbit has been widely used in studies of hypercholesterolemia, the precise role of platelet cholesterol in rabbit platelet activation has not been studied. In the present study, to determine the direct role of cholesterol on rabbit platelet activation, we examined the effect of in vitro modulation of cholesterol content on platelet activation. Cholesterol-depleted rabbit platelets by the treatment with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin showed decreased platelet aggregation by physiological agonists such as thrombin, adenosine diphosphate, and collagen. The inhibition of thrombin-induced aggregation in cholesterol-depleted platelets was restored by cholesterol repletion in platelets. The cholesterol depletion also inhibited Ca(2+) mobilization, which plays a pivotal role in the platelet activation induced by physiological agonists. We showed that the Ca(2+) influx pathway is strongly suppressed by cholesterol depletion more than Ca(2+) release from intracellular Ca(2+) stores in platelets stimulated with thrombin. Furthermore, platelet aggregation induced by PMA, a potent protein kinase C activator, was also depressed by cholesterol depletion. On the other hand, cholesterol enrichment in platelets augmented thrombin-induced aggregation and Ca(2+) mobilization. These findings suggest that cholesterol plays a critical role in regulating rabbit platelet activation, and provides fundamental information regarding hypercholesterolemia-mediated effects on cells in the rabbit model.

A randomized clinical trial investigating the relationship between aprotinin and hypercoagulability in off-pump coronary surgery

BACKGROUND

Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery is associated with a hypercoagulable state in which the platelet thrombin receptor, protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), helps propagate a thrombin burst within saphenous vein grafts. Aprotinin, used in cardiothoracic surgery mainly for its antifibrinolytic properties, also spares platelet PAR-1 activation due to thrombin. We hypothesized that this PAR-1 antagonistic property provides an antithrombotic benefit during OPCAB surgery.

METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned to receive saline (n = 38) or a modified full-dose regimen of aprotinin (n = 37) IV during OPCAB surgery. Blood sampled perioperatively from the coronary sinus, skin wounds, and systemic circulation was analyzed to test coagulation and platelet function. Major adverse cardiovascular events were monitored by obtaining troponin I at 24 h (myocardial infarction), predischarge computed tomography angiography (vein graft thrombosis), and by clinical examination for stroke.

RESULTS

Coronary sinus blood obtained immediately after OPCAB surgery showed significantly less activation in the aprotinin group, as judged by reduced formation of platelet-leukocyte conjugates (P < 0.02) and platelet-derived microparticles (P < 0.05). The aprotinin group showed inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by thrombin (P = 0.007) but not adenosine diphosphate. Thrombin generation, defined by F1.2 levels, was significantly reduced by aprotinin in the coronary sinus but not in skin wound incisions. Major adverse cardiovascular events were significantly reduced in aprotinin-treated patients (5.4% vs 29.7%, P < 0.05). Aprotinin also demonstrated antifibrinolytic properties through diminished red blood cell transfusion (P < 0.04) and reduced blood loss postoperatively (603 +/- 330 vs 810 +/- 415 mL, P < 0.004).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that aprotinin protects patients undergoing OPCAB surgery from a hypercoagulable state by diminishing thrombin-induced platelet activation and thrombin generation within saphenous vein grafts, while maintaining systemic hemostatic and antifibrinolytic benefits. These results support further investigation of aprotinin and other PAR-1 antagonists in OPCAB surgery.

Warm ischemia provokes inflammation and regional hypercoagulability within the heart during off-pump coronary artery bypass: a possible target for serine protease inhibition

OBJECTIVE

Accumulating evidence suggests that a hypercoagulable state influences early graft failure after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). We hypothesized that regional myocardial ischemia caused by obligatory periods of coronary occlusion during OPCAB is an important trigger for this prothrombotic state.

METHODS

Using a series of biomarkers, 60 consecutive patients undergoing OPCAB were monitored for myocardial injury (myoglobin), inflammation (TNF-alpha, IL-8) and thrombosis (thrombin generation-F1.2, contact activation pathway-FXII-a, platelet derived microparticles-via flow cytometry). The transcardiac gradients of these markers were determined by assaying both arterial and coronary sinus blood just after protamine administration. Intramyocardial pH was monitored continuously during coronary occlusion in a subset (N=30 grafts, 11 patients). The influence of management strategies affecting hemostasis (e.g. antiplatelet therapy, anti-fibrinolytics, peak activated clotting time (ACT) during heparinization) was analyzed.

RESULTS

Ischemic injury, depicted by the transcardiac myoglobin gradient, significantly correlated with intramyocardial acidosis during coronary occlusion (R=0.96, p<0.0001) and predicted the transcardiac gradients of TNF-alpha (R=0.83, p<0.001) and F1.2 (R=0.72, p<0.0001). Transcardiac F1.2 strongly correlated with TNF-alpha (R=0.73, p=0.01) and IL-8 (R=0.51, p=0.02). Patients receiving aprotinin (N=20) showed significantly lower transcardiac gradients for myoglobin (4.1+/-7.5% vs 72.9+/-108.8% change, p=0.002), F1.2 (31+/-37% vs 89+/-149%, p=0.03), FXII-a (2.6+/-4.1% vs 19.2+/-34%, p=0.04) and microparticles (7+/-3.9% vs 12.9+/-8%, p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Strong correlations between myocardial ischemia and the transcardiac gradients of markers for inflammation and thrombosis suggest that even brief episodes of coronary occlusion in the beating heart may have pathophysiologic consequences. Aprotinin, but not other factors that influence the coagulation system, appears to mitigate this process during OPCAB.

Evaluation of aprotinin and tranexamic acid in different in vitro and in vivo models of fibrinolysis, coagulation and thrombus formation

BACKGROUND

The serine protease inhibitor aprotinin and plasminogen inhibitor tranexamic acid are used in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery to reduce bleeding. Clinicians may consider these agents as readily substitutable regarding their pharmacological profiles.

OBJECTIVE

These agents were evaluated in assays of hemostasis to elucidate their underlying mechanism(s) of action.

METHODS

In human plasma, effects on both clot fibrinolysis and coagulation were spectrophotometrically quantified in vitro. Rat-tail bleeding and arteriovenous shunt thrombus formation models were conducted in vivo.

RESULTS

Fibrinolysis was inhibited by aprotinin (IC(50), 0.16 +/- 0.02 micromol L(-1)) and tranexamic acid (IC(50), 24.1 +/-1.1 micromol L(-1)). In vivo, aprotinin dose-dependently reduced rat-tail bleeding time (minimal effective dose, 3 mg kg(-1) bolus plus 6 mg kg(-1 )h(-1) infusion); tranexamic acid reduced bleeding time (minimal effective dose, 100 mg kg(-1) h(-1)). In vitro, coagulation time was doubled by aprotinin at 3.2 +/- 0.2 micromol L(-1), while tranexamic acid showed no effect at concentrations up to 3 mmol L(-1). Aprotinin inhibited thrombus formation in vivo in a dose-dependent manner (minimal effective dose, 3 mg kg(-1) bolus plus 6 mg kg(-1) h(-1) infusion). Conversely, tranexamic acid dose-dependently increased thrombus formation and thrombus weight (minimal effective dose, 100 mg kg(-1 )h(-1) infusion).

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that aprotinin and tranexamic acid have differential effects on hemostasis and are not necessarily substitutable with respect to mechanism of action. Although both agents have been shown to reduce bleeding in patients undergoing CABG, their divergent effects on thrombus formation observed in vitro and in vivo should be critically evaluated clinically.

Aprotinin may decrease blood loss in complex adult spinal deformity surgery, but it may also increase the risk of acute renal failure

STUDY DESIGN

Matched cohort comparison.

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the potential for aprotinin to conserve blood in adults undergoing long thoracolumbar deformity procedures and characterizes patients at risk for acute renal failure.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Aprotinin has been shown to reduce intraoperative blood loss and reduce transfusion requirement in pediatric spine and cardiac surgery populations. Previous literature (before 2006) has not reported acute renal failure as a potential complication. This study was designed to examine the efficacy of aprotinin in reducing operative blood loss following long spinal arthrodesis in adult spinal deformity patients and to analyze complications.

METHODS

Adult spinal deformity patients undergoing long spinal arthrodesis at 1 institution between 2001 and 2005 were analyzed. Patients were matched according to age and type of procedure performed. Forty patients received high-dose aprotinin (Group A) intraoperatively, and 41 patients matched as controls (Group NA) received no aprotinin. Outcome variables included intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative transfusion requirement, early postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirement, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Average blood loss for Group A was 906 mL and 1.3 L for Group NA. The difference was statistically significant with a P < 0.05. Complications seen in Group A included 4 cases of acute renal failure requiring dialysis and 1 deep venous thrombosis. In Group NA, there was only 1 case of acute renal failure (presumed to be secondary to inadvertent gentamycin overdose) and 1 case of pulmonary embolus. The 4 Group A patients with acute renal failure were female, 61 to 73 years of age, with various comorbidities. All required inpatient hemodialysis. Three averaged 2 months of continued outpatient dialysis before resolution of renal compromise while 1 patient is on chronic dialysis.

CONCLUSION

In long spinal arthrodesis for complex adult spinal deformity surgery, aprotinin does reduce intraoperative blood loss, but may increase the risk of acute renal failure, especially in women over the age of 60.

Aprotinin reduces cardiac troponin I release and inhibits apoptosis of polymorphonuclear cells during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJECTIVES

In addition to blood-sparing effects, aprotinin may have cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects during cardiopulmonary bypass-assisted cardiac surgery. In this study, the authors examined whether aprotinin had cardioprotective and/or anti-inflammatory effects in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

DESIGN

A prospective randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty patients were randomized to control (n = 25) or aprotinin treatment (n = 25) groups.

INTERVENTIONS

Aprotinin was given as a loading dose (2 x 10(6) KIU) followed by a continuous infusion at 5 x 10(5) KIU/h until skin closure.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Blood samples for cardiac troponin I; interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interleukin-10; tumor necrosis factor alpha; and elastase were taken after anesthesia induction, completion of revascularization, and 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after revascularization. Blood samples were taken to assess for apoptosis in polymorphonuclear cells. Baseline plasma levels for cardiac troponin I did not differ between groups but were significantly lower in aprotinin-treated patients at the time of revascularization (p = 0.03) and 6 hours (p = 0.004) and 24 hours (p = 0.03) later. Aprotinin significantly reduced apoptosis in polymorphonuclear cells compared with control-treated patients (p = 0.04). There were no differences in plasma cytokine or elastase levels between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that aprotinin reduces perioperative cardiac troponin I release and attenuates apoptosis in polymorphonuclear cells but has no significant effects on plasma cytokine levels in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Protease activated receptors: clinical relevance to hemostasis and inflammation

The protease-activated receptors (PARs) are a unique family of vascular receptors that confer on cells an ability to sense, and respond to, local changes in the proteolytic environment. They are activated by serine proteases of the blood coagulation cascade, notably thrombin, and are linked to thrombotic and inflammatory effector pathways. In surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), thrombin is generated in large quantities in the extracorporeal circuit and can exert systemic effects by way of platelet and endothelial PAR1. Aprotinin (Trasylol), a serine protease inhibitor used in cardiac surgery, preserves platelet function, and attenuates the inflammatory response by protecting the PAR 1 receptor on platelets and endothelium.

Is There Still a Role for Aprotinin in Cardiac Surgery?

Cardiac surgery is associated with a systemic inflammatory response and systemic coagulopathy, which can result in significant organ dysfunction and bleeding. Aprotinin, a serine protease inhibitor, can limit systemic inflammation, and has been associated with myocardial, pulmonary and cerebral protection in addition to its proven haemostatic efficacy. Data are currently conflicting regarding the haemostatic efficacy of aprotinin relative to alternative agents including tranexamic acid. Recent studies have demonstrated aprotinin usage is associated with increased rates of thrombotic and renal complications, but these findings are at odds with the majority of studies relating to aprotinin safety to date. The lack of adequately powered, randomised studies evaluating aprotinin and alternative agents limits drawing conclusions about the complete use or disuse of aprotinin presently and requires individualised patient selection based on bleeding risk and co-morbidities for its usage.

Effect of aprotinin and recombinant variants on platelet protease-activated receptor 1 activation

BACKGROUND

Thrombin generated during cardiopulmonary bypass activates the high-affinity thrombin receptor, protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), causing platelet dysfunction and excessive bleeding. The serine protease inhibitor aprotinin protects platelets against thrombin-mediated PAR1 activation in vitro and in vivo. Here we have investigated three novel recombinant aprotinin variants with specific modifications to the active site lysine at amino acid position 15 (arginine-15, arginine-15-alanine-17, and valine-15-leucine-17) for their effect on PAR1-mediated platelet aggregation in vitro.

METHODS

Aggregation studies were carried out using washed human platelets (n = 9) or platelet rich plasma (n = 7) from healthy volunteers activated with 1 or 5 nM thrombin. Recombinant aprotinin variants were used at the molar equivalent to 50 KIU/mL of the parent compound. The PAR1-specific antagonist peptide, FLLRN, was used at 500 microM.

RESULTS

Platelet aggregation at low concentrations of thrombin (1 nM) was mediated exclusively through PAR1, as shown by inhibition of aggregation in the presence of FLLRN. At 1 nM thrombin, the mean percentage +/- SD aggregation of washed platelets was 68.6% +/- 12.3%. This was suppressed by each aprotinin variant at the 50 KIU/mL equivalent dose: arginine-15 (23.0% +/- 17.5%, p < 0.001); arginine-15-alanine-17 (33.3% +/- 22.9%, p < 0.01); aprotinin (37.5% +/- 19.4%, p < 0.05); valine-15-leucine-17 (50.0% +/- 16.1%, not significant)). At 5 nM thrombin, which activates both high (PAR1) and low-affinity (PAR4) thrombin receptors on platelets, FLLRN and aprotinin failed to block aggregation: this finding indicates that aprotinin selectively targeted PAR1. In platelet-rich plasma, aggregation at 1 nM thrombin was 77.1% +/- 10.0%, and this was inhibited in the following order: arginine-15 (30.1% +/- 9.6%, p < 0.001); arginine-15-alanine-17 (52.3% +/- 9.7%, p > 0.001); aprotinin (55.9% +/- 6.2%, p > 0.001); valine-15-leucine-17 (73.7% +/- 7.1%, not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

Aprotinin variants differentially inhibit PAR1-mediated platelet aggregation. With more understanding of the mechanisms of action of aprotinin and its derivatives, safer and more efficacious aprotinin variants may become available for clinical use.

Aprotinin to Improve Cerebral Outcome after Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest: A Study in a Surviving Porcine Model

BACKGROUND

Aprotinin is a serine protease inhibitor, which is usually used during cardiac surgery to reduce blood loss. There is evidence that aprotinin has neuroprotective effects during ischemia. We planned this study to evaluate its potential neuroprotective efficacy during hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA).

METHODS

Twenty piglets with a median weight of 25.7 kg (interquartile range, 23.9-26.6) were randomly assigned to receive aprotinin or placebo prior to a 75-minute period of HCA at 18 degrees C. Brain microdialysis parameters and neurological and histological scores were the primary outcome measures.

RESULTS

Changes in brain metabolic parameters and histopathological findings were favorable in the aprotinin group. Brain lactate concentrations were significantly lower in the aprotinin group during the experiment (P = .02) along with blood lactate concentrations in the aprotinin group (P = .023). Brain glucose was significantly higher during the experiment (P = 0.02). Intracranial pressure tended to be higher in the control group. Two of 10 animals in the aprotinin group and 4 of 10 in the control group failed to reach full recovery on the seventh postoperative day. Four animals of 10 in the aprotinin group and 6 animals of 10 in the control group had brain infarction (P = .40).

CONCLUSIONS

The present data suggest that aprotinin mitigates cerebral damage and improves neurological outcome following a period of HCA.

The effect of aprotinin on activated protein C-mediated downregulation of endogenous thrombin generation

Thrombin plays a central role in coagulation and haemostasis. Binding of thrombin to thrombomodulin generates activated protein C (APC), which exerts a negative feedback on thrombin formation. Aprotinin, a natural proteinase inhibitor is used extensively during cardiac surgery because this procedure is often associated with profound activation of coagulation and inflammatory pathways. Some in vitro evidences suggest that aprotinin inhibits APC, but the clinical relevance is unclear. The recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhsTM)-modified thrombin generation (TG) assay was used to investigate the effects of aprotinin on APC in plasma samples obtained from healthy volunteers, aprotinin-treated cardiac surgical patients and in protein C (PC)-depleted plasma. Based on the results of in vitro TG assay, addition of rhsTM (0.75-3.0 microg/ml) to volunteer or patient platelet-poor plasma significantly reduced (70.8 +/- 21.9 and 95.3% +/- 4.6%, respectively) thrombin formation when compared with PC-depleted plasma (8.3% +/- 5.2%). Aprotinin (100-200 KIU) caused a small, statistically insignificant decrease in the peak thrombin formation in normal and PC-deficient plasma (12.0 +/- 6.1%). In cardiac surgical patients, levels of functional PC, factor II, antithrombin and platelet significantly decreased after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Soluble thrombomodulin concentrations were increased after CPB (3.5 +/- 2.2 to 5.0 +/- 2.2 ng/ml), but they were still within the normal range for human plasma. Our results showed that, even though endogenous PC level is decreased after CPB, it retains its activity in the presence of thrombomodulin, and aprotinin has limited inhibitory effect on APC generation.

Comparison of Textilinin-1 with Aprotinin as Serine Protease Inhibitors and as Antifibrinolytic Agents

Textilinin-1 (Q8008) was isolated from the venom of the Pseudonaja textilis and has a 47% sequence identity to the antihaemorrhagic therapeutic agent aprotinin. When equimolar concentrations of enzyme and aprotinin were pre-incubated, plasmin was inhibited 100%, plasma kallikrein 58%, and tissue kallikrein 99%. Under the same conditions, textilinin-1 inhibited plasmin 98%, plasma kallikrein 16% and tissue kallikrein 17%. Whole blood clot lysis was inhibited strongly by both aprotinin and textilinin-1, as shown by thrombelastography. At 2 microM inhibitor lysis initiated by t-PA was greater than 99% inhibited by aprotinin (LY60 = 0.4 +/- 0.1) whereas textilinin-1, inhibited lysis by 91% (LY60 = 8.9 +/- 0.7). The same trend was found with the lysis of euglobulin fractions. From these data textilinin-1 appears to be a more specific plasmin inhibitor than aprotinin but aprotinin inhibits clot lysis to a greater extent.

Aprotinin inhibits proinflammatory activation of endothelial cells by thrombin through the protease-activated receptor 1

OBJECTIVE

Thrombin is generated in significant quantities during cardiopulmonary bypass and mediates adverse events, such as platelet aggregation and proinflammatory responses, through activation of the high-affinity thrombin receptor protease-activated receptor 1, which is expressed on platelets and endothelium. Thus antagonism of protease-activated receptor 1 might have broad therapeutic significance. Aprotinin, used clinically to reduce transfusion requirements and the inflammatory response to bypass, has been shown to inhibit protease-activated receptor 1 on platelets in vitro and in vivo. Here we have examined whether aprotinin inhibits endothelial protease-activated receptor 1 activation and resulting proinflammatory responses induced by thrombin.

METHODS

Protease-activated receptor 1 expression and function were examined in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells after treatment with alpha-thrombin at 0.02 to 0.15 U/mL in the presence or absence of aprotinin (200-1600 kallikrein inhibitory units/mL). Protease-activated receptor 1 activation was assessed by using an antibody, SPAN-12, which detects only the unactivated receptor, and thrombin-mediated calcium fluxes. Other thrombin-dependent inflammatory pathways investigated were phosphorylation of the p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase, upregulation of the early growth response 1 transcription factor, and production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6.

RESULTS

Pretreatment of cultured endothelial cells with aprotinin significantly spared protease-activated receptor 1 receptor cleavage (P < .0001) and abrogated calcium fluxes caused by thrombin. Aprotinin inhibited intracellular signaling through p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P < .05) and early growth response 1 transcription factor (P < .05), as well as interleukin 6 secretion caused by thrombin (P < .005).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that endothelial cell activation by thrombin and downstream inflammatory responses can be inhibited by aprotinin in vitro through blockade of protease-activated receptor 1. Our results provide a new molecular basis to help explain the anti-inflammatory properties of aprotinin reported clinically.