Effects of the coadministration of Huatuo Zaizao pills and aspirin on hemorrheology and blood coagulation in rabbits.

Huatuo Zaizao pills (HT) is a compound used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the coadministration of HT and aspirin on hemorrheology and blood coagulation in rabbits. Rabbits were randomly divided into the control, HT, aspirin and HT plus aspirin groups (n=5 animals per group). The rabbits were treated with HT at a dose of 1 g/kg, aspirin at a dose of 5 mg/kg or HT (1 g/kg) plus aspirin (5 mg/kg) administered by gavage. Blood samples were collected prior to treatment and at 2 or 4 h after treatment. Compared to the control group, there were no significant changes in whole blood viscosity (WBV), plasma viscosity (PV), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen content (FIB) in the HT or the aspirin group. Coadministration of HT and aspirin prolonged APTT, PT and TT and decreased WBV and PV. The findings indicated that coadministration of HT and aspirin exerted a more potent effect on hemorrheology and blood coagulation, compared to each agent administered alone, and may be a novel approach to the prevention and treatment of hemorrheological disorders.