Heparin from different sources

Sulfur analysis provides a useful criterion of purity for heparins. As shown in Table II, heparins from different sources have sulfate-to-car-boxyl molar ratios of 1.9-2.55 1.00, the highest values being from beef-lung preparations. 

Jaques, L. B. Heparin From Different Sources , Lancet Letter 2, 1262 (1972). 

Heparin, de-esterified nitrated hyaluronic acid, the related sulphonic acid dyes (e.g. chlorazol fast pink) and a non-specific inhibitor of rabbit and human serum, all inhibit various hyaluronidases from different sources but there are great differences, depending on substrate, enzyme and inhibitor. As inhibitors, cellulose trisulphuric acid and chitin disulphuric acid are much stronger, while treburon is similar to heparin. 

The most common source of commercial heparin has become pig intestinal-mucosa, from which somewhat more than 100 mg of heparin per kg of tissue is usually obtained.32 Data on the content of heparin in organs of different animal species (summarized in Refs. 7 and 14) are probably not strictly comparable with each other, because of different extraction and purification procedures used in different laboratories, and supposedly different recoveries from different tissues. 

Mild thrombocytopenia - Mild thrombocytopenia may remain stable or reverse even if heparin is continued. However, closely monitor thrombocytopenia of any degree. If a count falls below 100,000/mm or if recurrent thrombosis develops, discontinue heparin. If continued heparin therapy is essential, administration of heparin from a different organ source can be reinstituted with caution. 

From Hutchison AS, Ralston SH, Dryburgh FJ, et al. Too much heparin Possible source of error in blood gas analysis, Br Med J 1983 287 1131-2. Significance of difference from percentage volume of 2 p < 0,01 <... 

Bollet et al. [11] demonstrated the presence of hyaluronidase activity in various mammalian tissues. They showed that this type of hyaluronidase differed from the testicular type concerning pH optimum and pH range of activity. Subsequent studies revealed that the enzyme was present in the lysosomal fraction of the tissues [12]. The liver is an especially rich source [13]. Degradation of hyaluronan leads to the same end products as testicular hyaluronidase [11]. Lysosomal hyaluronidase from rat liver degrades chondroitin-4- and -6-sulfate, but not dermatan sulfate, desulfated dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, keratan sulfate, or heparin [14], Lysosomal hyaluronidase has an acid pH optimum and a narrow pH range of activity [14]. This difference in pH profile of activity has commonly been used to differentiate between testicular and lysosomal hyaluronidase. A similar acid-active hyaluronidase is present in human serum [15]. 

Chondroitin 4-sulfate is easily differentiated from the sulfated polysaccharides of the heparin type by its negative optical rotation, and from dermatan sulfate (also called chondroitin sulfate B or /S-heparin) by the identification of L-iduronic acid in the latter. However, it is difficult to distinguish it from chondroitin 6-sulfate ( chondroitin sulfate C ), since the differences in optical rotation, solubility, and susceptibility to enzymic degradation between the two substances are minimal or non-existent. It is probable that studies made in the past with products isolated from incompletely characterized sources have dealt with mixtures of both chondroitin sulfates. 

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