The Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology of Defibrotide: A New Profibrinolytic, Antithrombotic and Anti-Platelet Substance

Defibrotide, a deoxypolyribonuclide, has been found to modulate endothelial cell function causing increase in t-PA and decrease in PAI levels and also increase in PGI2 production. In addition, it increases platelet c-AMP levels and decreases MDA and TXB2 formation in human. Defibrotide inhibits platelet aggregate formation in vitro experiments as well as end-to-end anostomosis in rats. So, defibrotide inhibits the activation of platelets. Besides an increase of protein C and S levels a synergic action of heparin was observed in animal experiments. A strong antithrombotic effect has been observed in animal models.