Hypercoagulability and Liver Dysfunction Induced by Compounds of Some Heavy Metals

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Abstract
Intramuscularly organic and inorganic compounds of Hg, As, Sb or Bi increased prothrombin and fibrinogen levels in dogs and rabbits. When given orally or intravenously less uniform results were obtained. Mersalyl injected daily for 7 days, maintained hyperprothrombinemia and increased fibrinogen levels. In dogs it counteracted the hypoprothrombinemic effects of Dicumarol (3,3'' methylenebis [4-hydroxyconmarin]. Intramuscularly, 0.1-1 mg/kg of Sb and potassium tartrate produced hypercoagulability. Detectable liver damage and hypoprothrombinemia occurred at 1-10 mg/kg revealed Frank liver damage, icterus, hypoprothrombinemia, fibrinogen deficiency and finally death occurred at 15-30 mg/kg. Apparently the "toxic" reaction of the liver to agents as heavy metals may result in functional stimulation of production of the clotting proteins ameliorating the reaction to hepatotoxins as chloroform, as well as to Dicumarol.