title: Heparin: an old drug with a new paradigm.
abstract: Recent studies have shown that heparin is a biochemical representative of a distinct class of compounds known as linear anionic polyelectrolytes. Members of this class are mixtures of individual highly negatively charged chains that show a wide spectrum of specific reactions with biologically active proteins. Upon administration, heparin chains enter a cellular pool and effectively prevent thrombosis by increasing the electronegative potential of the vessel wall. Anticoagulant activity is an unusual feature of a few heparin chains and appears to play a minor role in many clinical uses and in physiological and pathological responses.
mesh_terms: D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000378:metabolism; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D013431:Sulfates; D000990:Antithrombin III; D006493:Heparin