Delayed Fibrin Polymerization Due to Removal of Calcium Ions

Abstract

EDTA inhibits reversibly the thrombin-fibrinogen reaction by a time-dependent effect on fibrinogen. Utilizing the stability of various metal-EDTA complexes, evidence is presented that EDTA acts by chelating traces of essential metal ions, whereas EDTA itself seems inactive. N-terminal analysis revealed that the effect of EDTA on the thrombin-fibrinogen reaction does not involve the enzymatic part of the reaction, but is restricted to the polymerization process.

Key Words:

• Calcium
• EDTA
• thrombin clotting time
• polymerization