Hypochlorite demonstrates anticoagulative properties

The hypochlorite ion (OCl/sup -/) is a powerful oxidant that participates in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion injury, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Whether hypochlorite has any anticoagulative properties in blood has previously not been investigated. We performed in vitro studies by spiking human citrated whole blood (CWB) with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at final concentrations of 0 /spl mu/g/mL (control), 9.5 FLg/mL, and 95 /spl mu/g/mL. The samples (n=12) were incubated at 37/spl deg/C for 10 minutes and recalcified with 0.1 M CaCl/sub 2/ to initiate clotting. The clotting or recalcification time (RT) was measured with a Sonoclot Coagulation Analyzer. The results indicate a significant prolongation (p<0.05) of clotting time with increasing concentrations of NaOCL This data suggests that hypochlorite has anticoagulative properties.