Increases by LPS in the soluble EPCR levels in rats that can be blocked by hirudin.

(A) Serum from normal controls (n = 6), rats given LPS (n = 4), and rats given LPS plus hirudin (n = 6) at 0, 3, and 6 hours after administration of the agents were assayed for soluble EPCR levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (B) Changes in soluble EPCR levels in rats infused with bovine thrombin or hirudin alone. (C) Rats were injected with LPS (20 mg/kg) through the tail vein. Serum samples were collected at the indicated times through the tail vein and were assayed for the soluble EPCR by ELISA. In the 2 animals that died, the last data point corresponds to the serum sample obtained at the time of death.