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EFFECT OF PLATELETS ANTIAGGREGANT CLOPIDOGREL ON ERYTHROCYTES AGGREGATION AND SEDIMENTATION

STILIYANA BORISOVA¹, IULIAN SARBU¹, SIMONA NICOLETA SAVU^1,2, ERAND MATI^1*

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Based on theoretical biophysical considerations (Einstein - Stokes and extended Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeeck theories), it was predicted that platelet antiaggregant clopidogrel has to reduce the aggregation and sedimentation of erythrocytes. Clopidogrel solutions were added to blood samples collected on EDTA for obtaining concentrations within the range 1 - 8 µg/mL, which equals the total plasma concentration of clopidogrel and its metabolites. Sedimentation curves were obtained using the standard Westergren method. For each curve, the starting time, the slope of the linear part and the final height of sediment were evaluated. The comparison of sedimentation curves using f2 and area under curve (AUC) metrics from bio-pharmacy was an alternative approach to statistical tests, considered more appropriate for clinical interpretation. The dependence between local structure of curves, as well as the area under sedimentation curve (AUSC) global parameter on the concentration of clopidogrel was, as a rule, linear within the range 1 - 4 μg/mL clopidogrel concentration. As a final conclusion, authors consider that results justify the hope that sedimentation of erythrocytes could become an alternative, ex vivo, simple method for screening estimation of the extent of clopidogrel therapeutic effect.