title: Low-dose heparin as an antithrombotic agent.
abstract: Heparin, after subcutaneous administration, has been found to be able to bind to endothelial receptors both in rabbits and in humans. N-sulphonate 35S-heparin remains bound in rabbits for at least 24 h and is able to enhance the inactivation process of thrombin and factor Xa. Heparin subcutaneously (200 U/kg) injected for 2 weeks resulted in an enhanced inactivation of thrombin and factor Xa by the endothelium. The antithrombin-enhancing activity persists longer than the anti-Xa activity. In man, daily subcutaneous administration of heparin (12,500 U/day) for 2 weeks significantly reduces the increased fibrinopeptide A plasma levels and normalizes the increased 125I-fibrinogen turnover. The present work indicates that heparin administration at a low dose represents a treatment able to remarkably enhance the antithrombotic properties of the vessel wall, independently of the presence of detectable heparin levels in the circulating blood.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica I, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Gensini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonechi
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gori
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fortini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paniccia
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lamberti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Attanasio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prisco
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Neri Serneri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D006493:Heparin