title: Non anticoagulant effects of heparin: implications for animal models of peritoneal dialysis.
abstract: Heparin is a glycosaminoglycan with well-known anticoagulant activity. That property is used in animal models of peritoneal dialysis to maintain catheter patency and to prevent the development of peritoneal adhesions. However, heparin has a host of biologic actions beyond its role as an anticoagulant. Heparin modulates the activity of various inflammatory cells, affects the synthesis of extracellular matrix, has antiproliferative effects on several cell types, and influences neoangiogenesis. By virtue of those actions, intraperitoneally administered heparin may interfere with peritoneal membrane homeostasis. The potential side effects of heparin use in animal models of peritoneal dialysis should be recognized to permit correct interpretation of experimental studies conducted in those models.
authors.affiliation: Renal Unit, University Hospital, Gent, Belgium. an.devriese@rug.ac.be
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: De Vriese
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mortier
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Lameire
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D023421:Models, Animal; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin