The effect of zinc ions (Zn2+) on the procoagulant activity of PMN leukocytes.

The effects of Zn2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+ in vitro were studied on the procoagulant activity of peritoneal PMN leukocytes derived from endotoxin treated rabbits. The cells collected from the abdominal cavity were incubated in the presence of these divalent cations at 37 degrees in Hank's solution followed by determination of the clotting activity of their supernatants in citrate treated rabbit plasma. When the cells were incubated in the presence of 50 microM/l ZnCl2 the procoagulant activity of their supernatants decreased by 30%. Upon the application of 100 microM/l ZnCl2 a 50-60% increase in clotting time was observed. Zinc ions inhibited in a concentration dependent manner the release of procoagulant material from leukocytes. Neither of the other cations used as controls has influenced clotting time if assayed in a similar system. It has been established that zinc ions inhibited the liberation of tissue factor from endotoxin treated PMN leukocytes. The inhibitory effect was dose dependent and increased from 5 microM/l to 250 microM/l exponentially. The inhibitory effect of zinc ions on tissue factor liberation might be explained by membrane stabilization.