Effect of anticoagulants on thrombosis

Heparinoids and Mucopolysaccharides as Complexes, Clathrates, Ion-Exchange Compounds 

Having considered the complexes which heparin (and heparinoids and mucopolysaccharides) form, we can ask the question whether such complexes are present in the materials as prepared. It is self-evident that such complexes must be present and this immediately explains why heparin usually occurs as a multi-component system. 

The metachromatic reaction of heparin and heparinoids with dyes is an important key to the riddle of their chemical nature. A similar reaction is the starch-iodine reaction. This is due to the fixation of the iodine atoms in the starch micelle in an orderly array and is a well-known example of a clathrate, in which atoms or molecules are held in channels of larger molecules by strong, non-polar forces— hydrogen bond and London forces. It is the possession of a similar structure but with highly polar groups (NH SO4, O SO3, COO ) in close proximity, which endows the mucopolysaccharides and heparinoids with their highly specific, characteristic properties. 

Most preparations can be resolved into a number of fractions with paper chromatography, electrophoresis and fractional precipitation with acetone, 

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