Antithrombin activity of an algal polysaccharide.
In an effort to reduce the risks of a possible iatrogenic transmission of bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE) through the use of bovine-derived medicinal products, we patented in the USA in 1999 a polysaccharide from brown algae, endowed with interesting pharmacological activities: (a) concentration-dependent inhibition of thromboplastin or cephalin-kaolin-induced thrombin generation from platelets, (b) concentration-dependent inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, (c) thrombin has hypotensive effect, which was blunted and zeroed by our fucansulfate in a dose-dependent way, (d) when aortae are stimulated with thrombin, they become stickier for polymorphonucleated leukocytes (PMNs); our fucansulfate decreased concentration-dependently, PMNs sticking to autologous rabbit aortae, (e) dose-dependent inhibition of thrombin-induced thrombosis. All the above data suggest that our fucansulfate could be a heparin substitute endowed with antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory activities, devoid or the problems caused to heparin by its animal origin, i.e., possible prion protein contamination.
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Pharma Research Laboratories, Piazza XX Settembre 2, 22079 Villa Guardia, Como, Italy.
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D000818:Animals; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000494:pharmacology; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006629:Hirudins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000459:Phaeophyceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013917:Thrombin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control
D000991:Antithrombins; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006629:Hirudins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D006493:Heparin; C007789:fucoidan; D013917:Thrombin