Intra-arterial infusion of thrombin: animal experiments.

Purpose: Thrombin inhibits cadherin on vascular endothelial cells, rapidly and reversibly increasing endothelial permeability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of trans-arterial infusion with thrombin.

Material And Methods: Ten rabbits with right thigh tumor were randomly divided into two groups: A thrombin group and a control group. In the thrombin group, a suspension of thrombin (300 IU), cisplatin (3 mg), lipiodol (0.3 ml) and iopamidol (0.3 ml) was infused into the right femoral artery. In the control group, a suspension of cisplatin, lipiodol and iopamidol was infused. Platinum concentrations in plasma were measured five and ten minutes after administration. Platinum concentrations were also measured in tumor specimens excised 30 minutes after infusion.

Results: At both five and ten minutes after infusion, platinum concentrations in plasma were significantly lower for the thrombin group than for the control group. Platinum concentration in tumor tissue was significantly higher for the thrombin group than for the control group.

Conclusion: The present results suggest that transarterial infusion with thrombin may offer a number of pharmacological advantages.