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Biomedical subjects

C Mattsson

Publications and source records attributed to C Mattsson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Antithrombotic activity of inogatran, a new low-molecular-weight inhibitor of thrombin, in a closed-chest porcine model of coronary artery thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the antithrombotic activity of inogatran per se in a porcine model of copper-coil-induced coronary artery thrombosis and to compare its effect with that of heparin and ASA. METHODS: Forty-eight pigs were assigned to one of the following groups: (1) saline; (2) heparin, (a) 75 and (b) 150 IU/kg/h; (3) acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), 12.5 mg/kg; (4) ASA 12.5 mg/kg + inogatran, 0.06 mg/kg/h; (5) ASA 12.5 mg/kg + inogatran, 0.30 mg/kg/h; (6) inogatran, 0.30 mg/kg/h; (7) inogatran, 0.60 mg/kg/h; (8) inogatran, 1.5 mg/kg/h. Computerized vectorcardiography was applied to monitor coronary occlusion and reperfusion. RESULTS: Cumulative time in which coronary arteries were patent, expressed as a percentage of the treatment time (i.e., 90 min) in heparin- and ASA-treated pigs, was 8 +/- 6 and 14 +/- 7%, respectively. This is not significantly different from placebo-treated pigs. Inogatran-treated pigs showed a dose-dependent antithrombotic effect, and the average patency rates were 34 +/- 39, 54 +/- 37 and 80 +/- 32%, in groups 6, 7 and 8, respectively. Combined treatment with inogatran and ASA did not significantly improve the antithrombotic effect. A partial antithrombotic effect of inogatran was maintained for, on average, at least 150 min after the end of treatment, as evidenced by patency rates of 31 +/- 43, 52 +/- 48 and 62% +/- 44, in groups 6, 7, and 8, respectively. CONCLUSION: Inogatran inhibits the formation of arterial thrombosis more effectively than heparin or ASA. Inhibition of clot-bound thrombin and thrombin-induced platelet activation may be the mechanisms behind this effect. Our findings also suggest that a thrombus formed in the presence of inogatran is more susceptible to spontaneous endogenous fibrinolysis.

Animals↗

Inogatran, a novel direct low molecular weight thrombin inhibitor, given with, but not after, tissue-plasminogen activator, improves thrombolysis.

Coronary artery often reoccludes after therapy of acute myocardial infarction with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator rt-PA, most likely due to in situ thrombin generation during thrombolysis. Previous studies with high molecular weight thrombin inhibitors, such as hirudin, have shown variable improvement in the frequency of sustained thrombolysis. This study was conducted to examine the modulation of thrombolysis, indices of thrombin generation and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) by a novel low molecular weight direct thrombin inhibitor, inogatran. A stable occlusive intracoronary thrombus was created in 19 dogs. Nine dogs were given an intravenous bolus of saline (group A), and 5 dogs were given inogatran (group B) followed by rapid infusion of rt-PA (1 mg/kg over 20 min), whereas saline or inogatran was continuously infused for 2 hr. Five other dogs were given inogatran (bolus and continuous infusion) only after thrombolysis by rt-PA was obtained (group C). Time to reflow was similar in all dogs. None of the reperfused coronary arteries reoccluded in group B dogs (vs. 75% and 40% reocclusion rates in groups A and C, respectively, P < .02). Accordingly, the mean duration of reflow was > 120 min in group B dogs (vs. 39 +/- 7 and 44 +/- 14 min in group A and C dogs, respectively, P < .05). After infusion of inogatran, APTT was increased to 1.6 to 1.9 times the base-line value, and the changes in APTT were similar in group B and C dogs. Thrombin generation and activity, assessed by thrombin-antithrombin complex and fibrinopeptide A levels, increased in all dogs during thrombus formation. The increase in thrombin-antithrombin complex and fibrinopeptide A levels during thrombolysis was not evident in group B dogs. These data show that direct thrombin inhibition with inogatran, when initiated before rt-PA, results in sustained thrombolysis and only a modest increase in APTT. However, inogatran given after thrombolysis only partially prevents reocclusion because large amounts of thrombin generation occur during the early stages of thrombolysis.

Animals↗

Myringosclerosis caused by increased oxygen concentration in traumatized tympanic membranes. Experimental study.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate possible relationships between the oxygen concentration of the middle ear cavity and the development of myringosclerosis. Three groups of rats with myringotomized tympanic membranes were exposed to different oxygen concentrations of 10%, 15%, and 40%, respectively, for 1 week. A fourth group was kept in ambient air. Two other groups of rats with myringotomized and intubated tympanic membranes were exposed to oxygen concentrations of 10% and 40%, respectively, for the same period of time. Otomicroscopically, all hyperoxic animals had more numerous myringosclerotic lesions compared with the ambient air group, and also displayed a pronounced hyperplasia of the keratinizing epithelium around the perforation border. By contrast, the hypoxic animals showed less pronounced myringosclerotic lesions or even completely lacked them. It is inferred that an increased oxygen concentration in the middle ear cavity will increase the likelihood of myringosclerotic deposits. The mechanism involved could be related to the formation of oxygen radicals.

Animals↗

Inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointimal growth by low-anticoagulant heparin.

Low-anticoagulant heparin (LA-heparin) obtained by affinity chromatography on antithrombin III Sepharose inhibits the proliferation of cultured arterial smooth muscle cells in an in vitro bioassay system as effectively as standard heparin. A growth inhibition of smooth muscle cells of about 60% is achieved when LA-heparin or heparin is added to the culture medium to a concentration of 50 micrograms/ml. In normolipemic rats LA-heparin suppresses the formation of neointimal thickenings and stenosis after balloon catheter-induced deendothelialization of the carotid artery. In terms of mass a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/d given subcutaneously twice daily one week before and 2 weeks after balloon injury the cross sectional area of the neointima is reduced to 36% as compared with the nontreated control group (100%). This 64% reduction is statistically highly significant (p < 0.001). After treatment with 0.5 mg LA-heparin/kg/d the reduction of the neointima was 11% (p < 0.05). At a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight single or repeated administrations of LA-heparin caused only a small and transient increase in activated partial thromboplastin time values. The results show that subcutaneous administration of LA-heparin very effectively prevents smooth muscle cell proliferation and balloon catheter-induced neointimal growth. The well tolerated systemic application of this chemically non-modified LA-heparin might justify clinical trials for prevention of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or other invasive cardiovascular interventions without complications of bleeding.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Aspirin does not potentiate effect of suboptimal dose of the thrombin inhibitor inogatran during coronary thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVES: Coronary artery often reoccludes after thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA). This reocclusion is thought to be due to in situ platelet activation mediated by thromboxane (Tx) A2 and thrombin; hence, aspirin and thrombin inhibitors are often used in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This study was designed to examine the modulation of coronary artery reocclusion by a novel low molecular weight direct thrombin inhibitor inogatran with or without aspirin. METHODS: 22 dogs with electrically-induced occlusive intracoronary thrombus were treated with saline (n = 7, group A), or high dose inogatran (0.25 mg/kg bolus followed by 0.6 mg/kg per h for 2 h, n = 5, group B), or low dose inogatran (0.125 mg/kg bolus followed by 0.3 mg/kg per h for 2 h, n = 5, group C), or aspirin+low dose inogatran (n = 5, Group D). Recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was infused for 20 min starting 2 min after the bolus in all dogs. Coronary artery blood flow was monitored for 120 min after rt-PA administration. RESULTS: Reperfusion rates were similar in all groups, but the time to reperfusion was shortest in group B dogs (18 +/- 2 min vs. 32 +/- 7 min in group A dogs, P < 0.05). Reocclusion rates were 80%, 0%, 50%, and 60% in groups A, B, C, and D dogs, respectively. The restored blood flow persisted for 19 +/- 10, > 120 min, 71 +/- 30 and 54 +/- 26 min in groups A, B, C, and D dogs, respectively. At the end of rt-PA infusion, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were increased 1.3-2 times the control value, and the changes in PT and APTT were similar in all groups. Thrombin generation and activity, assessed by rise in thrombin-antithrombin complex and fibrinopeptide A levels, and decrease in fibrinogen levels were most marked in group A dogs, and less so in group B, C and D dogs. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that high dose of direct thrombin inhibitor inogatran shortens time to reflow and abolishes coronary artery reocclusion. However, aspirin does not potentiate the effect of suboptimal doses of inogatran.

Animals↗

A bleeding model in rabbits demonstrate fresh clot selectivity for a genetically engineered variant of tissue-type plasminogen activator and for streptokinase.

The way in which three thrombolytic agents, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), streptokinase (SK) and a genetically engineered variant of t-PA composed of the second kringle and the protease domain (K2P), cause the dissolution of haemostatic plugs of differing ages was investigated in a novel rabbit model. Standardized incisions were made on the rabbit ear and the wounds were left to heal for 0.5 h or 24 h, before the thrombolytic agents were infused. In the absence of heparin, t-PA showed little discrimination between clots of different ages (36% and 28% lysis of the 0.5 h and 24 h wounds, respectively). In contrast, K2P and SK showed a pronounced fresh clot selectivity since they were significantly more effective in lysing fresh clots than old ones (68% and 4% lysis for K2P and 72% and 36% for SK, respectively). In the presence of heparin the potency of t-PA on fresh clots was considerably increased whilst the effect on old clots was not affected, a fresh clot selectivity for t-PA (64% lysis of fresh clots, 24% lysis of old clots) was thus effected. Heparin did not significantly affect the fresh clot selectivity of K2P or SK, although lysis of old clots was increased (from 4% to 36%) when it was given together with K2P. Furthermore, heparin did not affect the time to onset of bleeding nor was the bleeding time prolonged by its addition. The bleeding time observed for t-PA (20-25 min) was markedly shorter than that found for K2P or SK (40-50 min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Sustained reflow in dogs with coronary thrombosis with K2P, a novel mutant of tissue-plasminogen activator.

Coronary artery reocclusion after thrombolysis with human recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is related to the short half-life of this agent in plasma. K2P, a mutant of rt-PA lacking the fibronectin fingerlike, epidermal growth factor-like and first kringle domains (amino acids 6 to 173) and having the glycosylation site Asn184 mutagenized to Gln, has been produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells. In this study we compared the thrombolytic effect of K2P and rt-PA in dogs with electrically induced coronary artery thrombosis. Both agents were given intravenously in equimolar amounts over 20 min after the occlusive thrombus was stable for 30 min; dogs were monitored for 1 h after reperfusion if flow occurred. Coronary blood flow was restored by rt-PA in 6 (60%) of 10 dogs. The restored flow lasted for 49 +/- 12 min and mean flow at 60 min from the start of reperfusion was 7 +/- 3 ml/min. The reocclusion rate was 50% (three of six dogs). Flow was restored in five (100%) of five dogs by K2P. The restored blood flow lasted during the entire 1-h observation period in all but one dog and mean flow at 60 min was 49 +/- 16 ml/min (p less than 0.02 vs. flow in rt-PA-treated dogs). Restored coronary blood flow showed marked cyclic flow variations in rt-PA-treated but not in K2P-treated dogs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Bleeding times in rats treated with heparin, heparin fragments of high and low anticoagulant activity and chemically modified heparin fragments of low anticoagulant activity.

A template bleeding time study in the rat was undertaken to see if it is possible to correlate bleeding times with the molecular weight, anticoagulant activity or chemical composition of heparin or heparin-derived compounds. Heparin from porcine intestinal mucosa (PM-heparin) and from bovine lung (BL-heparin) as well as heparin fragments from these sources were compared. Heparin fragments of low anticoagulant activity were prepared by affinity chromatography on immobilized antithrombin as well as by chemical modification. A heparin fragment of high affinity for antithrombin (HA-fragment) caused a marked and dose-dependent increase in bleeding time while the corresponding heparin fragment with low affinity for antithrombin (LA-fragment) had a marginal and non-dose dependent effect on the bleeding time. Similar results were also obtained with PM-heparin with high and low affinity for antithrombin. A high anti-FXa activity was not always correlated with a marked bleeding tendency. Provided that a fragment was devoid of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) activity, it was not possible to provoke a bleeding time of 20 min or longer, although the compound was administered at a dose of 1,088 U/kg (anti-FXa activity). On the other hand, a N-acetylated chemically oversulphated heparin fragment, with a very low anti-FXa activity (1 U/mg) and with an APTT activity of 34 U/mg, caused a bleeding time of 20 min or longer in 70% of the animals after injection of the same number of APTT units, 1,088 U/kg. These data indicate that the APTT activity is a better and more sensitive indicator of the bleeding than is the anti-FXa activity.

Acetylation↗

Pharmacokinetics and coronary thrombolytic properties of two human tissue-type plasminogen activator variants lacking the finger-like, growth factor-like, and first kringle domains (amino acids 6-173) in a canine model.

The pharmacokinetics and thrombolytic properties of two variants of recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) were studied in dogs with a copper coil induced thrombosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The first variant, rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184, lacked amino acids 6 to 173 [comprising the fibronectin finger-like (F), the epidermal growth factor-like (E), and the first kringle (K1) domains] and had the glycosylated Asn184 mutagenized to Gln. The second variant, rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184, Val277, had in addition Lys277 mutagenized to Val. Injection of 0.25, 0.50, or 1.0 mg/kg of rt-PA in groups of three dogs caused reflow in six of nine dogs, within 18 +/- 15 min (mean +/- SD), but was associated with reocclusion within 2 h in all animals. Injection of 0.125, 0.25, or 0.50 mg/kg of rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184 caused reflow in all of nine dogs, within 17 +/- 23 min, with persistent patency in four animals (p = 0.02 vs. rt-PA). Bolus injection of 4:1 mixtures of rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184 and rt-PA in total amounts of 0.125, 0.25, or 0.50 mg/kg resulted in reflow in eight of nine dogs within 25 +/- 21 min with persistent patency in seven (p = 0.003 vs. rt-PA, p = 0.25 vs. rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184 alone). Injection of 0.25, 0.50, or 1.0 mg/kg of rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184, Val277 produced reperfusion in six of nine dogs, within 27 +/- 26 min, with persistent patency in three (p = 0.59 vs. rt-PA and p = 0.23 vs. rt-PA-delta FEK1-Gln184).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Elimination of native and carbohydrate-modified tissue plasminogen activator in rabbits.

The elimination of native and carbohydrate-modified tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) after an i.v. bolus injection was studied in rabbits. t-PA with a low content of mannose (man-t-PA) was obtained by treatment with alpha-mannosidase, which cleaves terminal mannose from the carbohydrate side chains of the molecule. About 50% of the total mannose was removed from the native t-PA. Clearance of t-PA in rabbits was followed by measurements of both the fibrinolytic activity of the activators and the radioactivity of the iodine-labelled compounds. A biphasic mode of elimination of the fibrinolytic activity as well as the radioactivity was found with both the native and the carbohydrate modified t-PA. The initial half-life (t 1/2 alpha) was the same, about 1.5 minutes, for both compounds, irrespective of method of analysis. The late half-life (t 1/2 beta) was also the same, about 15 minutes, for both compounds. However, the beta-elimination of native t-PA could only be determined accurately from radioactivity data in the dosages tested, i.e. up to 2 mg of t-PA. No dose dependency in the elimination pattern was observed. In gel filtration experiments, with plasma from the rabbits, it was demonstrated that in addition to fibrinolytically active t-PA and man-t-PA, both fibrinolytically inactive high molecular weight complexes and low molecular weight degradation products of the activators were present in plasma after injection of the compounds. The second phase of elimination (beta) was much more pronounced after mannosidase treatment of the t-PA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Antithrombotic effects of heparin oligosaccharides.

Size homogeneous heparin oligosaccharides were prepared from nitrous acid depolymerized heparin by means of repeated gel filtration chromatography. These oligosaccharides were then further separated with respect to affinity for antithrombin by means of affinity chromatography. All the high-affinity oligosaccharides thus obtained had a strong ability to potentiate factor Xa inhibition while their ability to inhibit factor IIa abruptly dropped below a chain length of 20 monosaccharides. In a rabbit stasis model, high-affinity oligosaccharides below a chain length of 20 units also showed a continuous decrease in antithrombotic effect with increasing degree of depolymerization. However, there was no distinct drop paralleling the thrombin inhibiting capacity. Low-affinity oligosaccharides also exhibited a weak antithrombotic effect, although they did not always contribute to an increased anti-factor Xa activity ex vivo. This was the case whether or not they were administered alone or in combination with high-affinity oligosaccharides. Low-affinity oligosaccharides may therefore exert an antithrombotic effect per se with a mechanism of action that is independent of antithrombin III.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics of heparin and low molecular weight heparin fragment (Fragmin) in rabbits with impaired renal or metabolic clearance.

The kinetics and tissue distribution of 3H-heparin and a 3H-labelled low molecular weight heparin fragment were compared in normal rabbits as well as in rabbits with blocked renal function or reticuloendothelial system (RES). Radioactivity in plasma, urine, liver and kidneys, as well as anti-FXa activity in plasma were determined. The plasma elimination of heparin was, when compared to normal controls, prolonged both in rabbits with renal dysfunction as well as in rabbits with blocked RES, while renal dysfunction was the only parameter that significantly prolonged the plasma half-life of Fragmin. Studies on tissue distribution in normal rabbits revealed that about 60 per cent of the radioactive heparin dose accumulated in the liver and kidney three hours after the injection, whereas the corresponding value was less than 10 per cent for the Fragmin-derived radioactivity. The recovery of radioactivity in urine within three hours was 5 and 35 per cent of the dose, respectively, for 3H-heparin and 3H-Fragmin. It is concluded from the present study that the rapid plasma elimination of heparin in the rabbit (t1/2 = 17 minutes) is mainly due to a high tissue distribution (liver and kidney) while the plasma elimination of Fragmin (t1/2 = 28 minutes) is mainly caused by renal excretion.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics of fragmin. A comparative study in the rabbit of its high and low affinity forms for antithrombin.

A tritium-labelled low molecular weight heparin fragment with an average molecular weight of 4000-6000 (Fragmin), was fractionated into its high and low affinity forms for antithrombin. The fractions obtained were injected into rabbits, and the plasma half-life (t1/2) volume of distribution (Vd), area under the curve (AUC), total body clearance (TCl) and renal clearance (Clr) were determined. When followed by radioactivity, both the high and low affinity forms of Fragmin as well as Fragmin itself were eliminated from plasma in a biexponential manner. Values for AUC were very low compared to those expected from the given dose. This effect was most pronounced for low affinity-Fragmin demonstrating a significantly higher extravascular distribution of molecules lacking affinity for antithrombin. From radio activity data, it was also demonstrated that the fraction of dose that was eliminated from plasma via non-renal (cellular clearance) mechanisms was higher for heparin (95 per cent) than for Fragmin (77 per cent) after a dose of 100 micrograms/kg. This demonstrates that cellular clearance is of less importance in the plasma elimination of low molecular weight heparin fragment, an effect that may explain their longer plasma half-lifes despite the fact that they are more readily and faster excreated into the urine.

Animals↗

Plasminogen activator inhibitors in plasma and platelets from patients with recurrent venous thrombosis and pregnant women.

Using affinity chromatography on lysine Sepharose 4B, a fast-acting tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor (t-PAI) was partially purified from t-PAI-rich plasma from patients with recurrent DVT. Its inhibition of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) was demonstrated in functional assays and its reaction with 125I-t-PA was analyzed by autoradiography following SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). When the t-PAI was mixed with an equimolar concentration of t-PA at 37 degrees C, the half-life of free one-chain and two-chain 125I-t-PA was 1.8 and 0.8 min, respectively. The rate of complex formation between 125I-t-PA and t-PAI was similar both in patient plasma, pregnancy plasma and platelet lysates made from platelet-rich normal, patient and pregnancy plasma. The molecular weights of the complexes between t-PA and the inhibitors in patient plasma and in the different platelet lysates were identical, while that of the inhibitor complex formed in pregnancy plasma was found slightly higher by SDS-PAGE indicating that the pregnancy plasma t-PAI differs from the fast-acting t-PAI found in plasma from thrombotic patients and in platelet lysates.

Autoradiography↗

Turnover of tissue plasminogen activator in normal and hepatectomized rabbits.

The distribution, and clearance of the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was studied in rabbits, rats and mice. Following an intravenous injection of I-labelled tPA a large portion of the radioactive dose was rapidly accumulated in the liver. After one hour the radioactivity in the liver was less than 5 per cent of the injected dose. The highest activity was then found in the intestine, stomach and in the blood. Gel filtration of plasma taken one hour after the injection revealed that the major part (60%) of the radioactivity was present as low molecular weight metabolites or free iodine. The remaining activity was present as high molecular weight inhibitor complexes (26%) or as free tPA (15%). In order to study in vivo reactions between tPA and plasma inhibitors without hepatic interference, plasma turnover was also studied in hepatectomized rabbits. High amounts of radioactivity remained in the plasma after one hour. Gel filtration of this plasma revealed that 54 per cent of the radioactivity was bound to inhibitors, 34 per cent circulated as free tPA while a minor portion (12%) was found as free iodine or metabolites. The half-life of fibrinolytically active tPA in hepatectomized rabbits was 40 minutes compared to 2 minutes in intact rabbits. The increase in the half-life of tPA in hepatectomized rabbits also resulted in an improved thrombolytic effect after treatment with 0.5 mg tPA.

Animals↗

Purified human factor VIII procoagulant protein: comparative hemostatic response after infusions into hemophilic and von Willebrand disease dogs.

The procoagulant protein F.VIII:C is noncovalently bound to von Willebrand factor (vWF) to give the factor VIII macromolecular complex. New highly purified preparations of isolated human F.VIII:C, devoid of vWF and about 500,000-fold purified, were administered to hemophilia A and von Willebrand disease (vWD) dogs to determine their hemostatic effectiveness and survival in the circulation. Two preparations of F.VIII:C were used: peak 1, with active components of Mr 185,000-280,000, and peak 2, with a single component of Mr 170,000. In hemophilic dogs, with no plasma F.VIII:C but normal vWF, both preparations immediately elevated plasma F.VIII:C to expected levels, promptly stopped induced and spontaneous hemorrhages, and gave sustained plasma levels of F.VIII:C. The isolated F.VIII:C immediately complexed with endogenous vWF in hemophilic plasma and was eliminated exponentially, with a half-life (t1/2) of about 9 hr. Survival of peak 2 F.VIII:C was longer than that of peak 1 material. In contrast, F.VIII:C complexed to vWF in a therapeutic concentrate administered to hemophilic dogs was eliminated biexponentially with first-phase t1/2 of 3.2 hr and second-phase t1/2 of 9 hr. In vWD dogs with no vWF and reduced F.VIII:C levels, the isolated F.VIII:C produced supernormal levels of F.VIII:C without effect on induced bleeding. It was rapidly eliminated from plasma with a t1/2 of about 1 hr, as was the complexed F.VIII:C in the concentrate. These data indicate that isolated F.VIII:C promptly complexes with vWF and in this form is highly effective in controlling hemophilic hemorrhages with good survival in plasma. Without endogenous vWF with which to complex, the F.VIII:C is promptly eliminated.

Animals↗

Antithrombotic properties in rabbits of heparin and heparin fragments covalently coupled to human antithrombin III.

Clinical grade heparin is a very heterogeneous mucopolysaccharide, containing molecules with Mr ranging from 6,000 to 30,000 that have either a high affinity or a low affinity for antithrombin III (AT). In this study, the antithrombotic properties of intact high-affinity heparin (Mr = 15,000) and of two heparin fragments (h16, a 16-monosaccharide fragment, with Mr = 4,300, and h12, a 12-monosaccharide fragment, with Mr = 3,200) and of their functional covalent stoichiometric complexes with human AT were compared in a venous thrombosis stasis model in rabbits. Thrombosis was induced by injection of glass-activated human plasma and measured in a segment of the jugular vein that was isolated between two vascular clamps for 10 min. Injections of 55 micrograms/kg resulted in a clear antithrombotic effect for intact heparin, but not for the two fragments. Equivalent amounts (carbohydrate moiety) of covalent complexes of heparin or of both heparin fragments with human AT resulted in an antithrombotic effect lasting for 45-60 min. Injection of 110 micrograms/kg of heparin and of the heparin fragments yielded an antithrombotic effect, lasting 45-60 min; the corresponding amounts of covalent complexes caused an anti-thrombotic effect for 60-120 min. The free and conjugated fragments produced equal antithrombotic effects at equal plasma levels of anti-Factor Xa activity, but the specific antithrombotic activities of free and complexed intact heparin, on a molar basis, were 10-20-fold greater than those of the free and complexed heparin fragments. The plasma half-life of the covalent complexes of the heparin fragments with AT is, however, 10 times longer than that of the complex between intact heparin and AT and 30 times longer than that of free intact heparin. Covalent complexes between AT and heparin fragments could, therefore, be useful to maintain more stable levels of antithrombotic activity in plasma.

Animals↗