On the mechanism of salicylate-induced hypothrombinaemia.

The mechanism of salicylate-induced hypothrombinaemia has been investigated in the rabbit. Administration of methyl salicylate produced a significant decrease in prothrombin complex activity, in the activity of clotting factors II, VII and X but no significant change in factor V activity. Metabolic studies with [3H]vitamin K1 showed that salicylate increased the plasma concentration ratio of [3H]vitamin K1-epoxide: [3H]vitamin K1. The results are consistent with the concept that salicylate produces its anticoagulant effect, like the coumarin anticoagulants, by interruption of the physiologically important vitamin K1-epoxide cycle at the epoxide reductase.