PHYSTOLOCIC ROLE OF VITAMIX K 767 



can readily be degraded to salicylic acid by chemical means, and since the 

 administration of salicylic acid to rats on a low-vitamin K diet caused a 

 hypoprotln-oml)inemia similar to that occurring after the administration 

 of dicumarol, or in the absence of \^itamin K, it was suggested that salicylic 

 acid might l)e an intermediate of the latter compound, which possesses 

 the hemorrhagic action. However, like vitamin K, neither dicumarol 

 nor salicylic acid influences the clotting time of blood when applied to it 

 in vitro. ^-^ Presumably, the hemorrhagic agent acts by inhibiting the 

 synthesis of prothrombin in the li^'er. possibly by some interference with 

 essential enzyme systems. 



In addition to dicumarol (also called dicumarin, diknmarin, dicoumarol, 

 "A.P.," bis-hydroxycumarin)'-''^ "'■*'' other related compounds have been 

 found to possess a similar anticoagulant action.'™ These include hydro- 

 dicumarol (3,8'-methylenebis(3,4-dihydro, 4-hydroxycumarol)) ;^^^ tro- 

 mexan (3,3'-carbox>denebis(4-hydroxycumarin) ethyl ester acetic acid, 

 or 4,4'-dioxydicumaryl ethyl acetate), ^^^ pelentan, "B.O.E.A.," ethyl 

 biscumacetate;'^°~^**'^ phenylindanedione (phenyl-2-indanedione-l,3, ("P.- 

 r.D."))/''"''' "danilone," "hedulin''.-'^" and anticoagulant "63" (2-methyl- 

 2-methoxy-4-phenyl-5-oxodihydropyrano (3,2-C) (l)-benzopyran, cumo- 

 pyran).'^""^^" These anticoagulants have been widely employed in medi- 

 cine to reduce the ability of the blood to clot nnder certain conditions, 

 and so to lessen the chances of thromboses. 



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