Polyamines detoxify the anticoagulant effect of acetaldehyde on prothrombin time.

Naturally occurring bioamines, such as putrescine, cadaverine, agmatine, spermidine, and spermine, were tested at pharmacological levels for their capacity to affect prothrombin time (PT). Each of the bioamines tested prolonged PT with decreasing orders of sensitivity being agmatine > spermidine > spermine > putrescine > cadaverine. The respective millimolar concentrations, which exhibited prolongation in statistically significant concentrations were 1, 3, 3, 6, and 10 mM, respectively.

Human platelets efficiently kill IgG-opsonized E. coli.

Platelets are known contributors of hemostasis but have recently been shown to be important in inflammation and infectious diseases. Moreover, thrombocytopenia is often observed in patients with sepsis. We previously reported that platelets actively phagocytosed IgG-coated latex beads.