2. Academic Validation
  3. Abacavir Induces Arterial Thrombosis in a Murine Model

Abacavir Induces Arterial Thrombosis in a Murine Model

  • J Infect Dis. 2018 Jun 20;218(2):228-233. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy001.
Victor Collado-Diaz 1,  Isabel Andujar 2,  Ainhoa Sanchez-Lopez 1,  Samuel Orden 2,  María Amparo Blanch-Ruiz 1,  María Angeles Martinez-Cuesta 1 3,  Ana Blas-García 1 3,  Juan V Esplugues 1 2 3,  Ángeles Álvarez 1 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
  • 2 FISABIO-Fundación Hospital Universitario Dr Peset, Valencia, Spain.
  • 3 CIBERehd, Valencia, Spain.
PMID: 29346575 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy001
Abstract

Background: The purinergic system is known to underlie prothrombotic and proinflammatory vascular programs, making the profile of experimental actions demonstrated by abacavir compatible with thrombogenesis. However, direct evidence of a prothrombotic effect by the drug has been lacking.

Methods: The present study appraised the effects of abacavir in a well-validated animal model of arterial thrombosis. The role of ATP-P2X7 receptors in the actions of the drug was also assessed, and the actions of recognized vascular-damaging agents and other nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were evaluated and compared to those of abacavir.

Results: Abacavir dose-dependently promoted thrombus formation. This effect was reversed by a P2X7-receptor antagonist and was nonexistent in P2X7 knockout mice. The effects of abacavir were similar to those of diclofenac and rofecoxib. Other NRTIs had no thrombosis-related effects.

Conclusion: Abacavir promotes arterial thrombosis through interference with purinergic signaling, suggesting a possible biological mechanism for the clinical association of abacavir with cardiovascular diseases.

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