Inhibition by warfarin of prothrombin synthesis and of lipid-saccharide synthesis in rat liver

In vivo and in vitro studies using [3H]glucosamine incorporation into prothrombin and into glycolipids were conducted in rat liver to determine the role of lipid-saccharides in the biosynthesis of prothrombin. In vivo studies demonstrated that 10 mg warfarin/kg inhibited the incorporation of radiolabeled glucosamine into liver prothrombin and glycolipids. This inhibition was similar to the kinetics of inhibition of prothrombin synthesis in the liver. In vitro studies demonstrated a time-dependent increase in the incorporation of radiolabeled glucosamine into lipid-saccharides and prothrombin. This incorporation was inhibited 50% by 5 . 10(-4) M warfarin. Warfarin also inhibited the incorporation of radiolabeled glucosamine into glycolipids in a dose-related manner. In all studies, vitamin K-1 reversed the inhibition of glucosamine incorporation into glycolipids and into prothrombin.