Influence of anticoagulants on growth and vitamin K production of intestinal bacteria
Johanni, M.; Ungerechts, J.; Werner, H.; Leistner, E.
Die Pharmazie 46(8): 595-596
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-7144 PMID: 1798715 Document Number: 379661
The influence of anticoagulants on growth and vitamin K production of intestinal bacteria was studied. Bacteroides vulgatus and Escherichia coli were grown in vitro for 3 days in the presence of increasing amounts of warfarin, phenprocoumon and acenocoumarol (0, 250, 500, 750, 1000 mmol/litre). Growth of B. vulgatus was inhibited under anaerobic conditions whereas growth of E. coli was not inhibited under aerobic conditions. A specific inhibition of vitamin K biosynthesis was not observed in either case. It is concluded that therapeutic doses (50 micro mol) of anticoagulants are unlikely to affect growth or vitamin K production of intestinal bacteria.