Comparison of the effect of edoxaban, a direct factor Xa inhibitor, with a direct thrombin inhibitor, melagatran, and heparin on intracerebral hemorrhage induced by collagenase in rats

IntroductionIntracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a major clinical concern with anticoagulation therapy. The effect of a new oral direct FXa inhibitor, edoxaban, was determined in a rat model of ICH and compared with a direct thrombin inhibitor, melagatran, and heparin.MethodsTo induce ICH, 0.1 U collagenase type VII was injected into the striatum of male Wistar rats under anesthesia with thiopental or halothane. Immediately after ICH induction, edoxaban, melagatran, or heparin were infused intravenously. Five hours after ICH induction, the brain was removed and ICH size was measured. To estimate the margin of safety, antithrombotic effects were evaluated in a rat venous thrombosis model.ResultsEdoxaban at 6 mg/kg/h significantly increased ICH volume (1.8-fold) and prolonged prothrombin time (PT) 2.8-fold compared to the vehicle group. No deaths were observed with edoxaban. Melagatran at 1 mg/kg/h increased ICH volume at 1 mg/kg/h (2.8-fold) with 6.1-fold PT prolongation. At 3 mg/kg/h, all rats died due to severe ICH (3.9-fold). Heparin at both 100 and 500 U/kg/h significantly increased ICH. At 500 U/kg/h, 5 out of 8 rats died. The doses required for 50% inhibition of thrombosis of edoxaban, melagatran, and heparin were 0.045 mg/kg/h, 0.14 mg/kg/h, and 55 U/kg/h, respectively. The safety margins between antithrombotic and ICH exacerbation effects of these anticoagulants were 133, 7.1, and 1.8, respectively.ConclusionThe safety margin of edoxaban was wider than that of melagatran or heparin. These results suggest that edoxaban may be preferable from the perspective of ICH exacerbation risk.