THE CLOT-PROMOTING EFFECT OF SOAPS OF LONG-CHAIN SATURATED FATTY ACIDS*

Abstract

The mechanism through which certain sodium soaps accelerated the clotting of human plasma was studied using a purified preparation of activated Hageman factor and partially purified preparations of inactive and active plasma thromboplastin antecedent (PTA). Soaps appeared to accelerate the activation of PTA which occurred either in the presence of Hageman factor or "spontaneously,," No activity was detectable when soaps were added to "native" plasma that had not been decalcified. Moreover, the pro-coagulant properties were reduced when calcium was added before the addition of soaps. These experiments do not provide support for the view that the free fatty acids in human plasma foster the development of intravascular thrombi.