Action of Sodium Salicylate on Prothrombin Time in Rabbits. ∗

Summary

The effect on the prothrombin time of 12.5% plasma, of oral and intra-venous administration of sodium salicylate, and of dicumarol has been compared in rabbits on a normal diet.

The oral and intravenous administration of dicumarol gave the same prolongation of the prothrombin time. However, while the oral administration of 0.5 g/kg of sodium salicylate definitely prolonged the prothrombin time, the intravenous administration of the same dose in the same animal did not result in any change in the prothrombin time. After the oral administration of sodium sulfasuccidine, the oral administration of sodium salicylate did not affect the prothrombin time.

It is suggested as an explanation of these results that salicylate may be converted to dicumarol or a substance with similar prothrombinopenic properties by bacterial action in the intestinal tract.