A single bolus of a low molecular weight heparin to patients on haemodialysis depletes lipoprotein lipase stores and retards triglyceride clearing.
BACKGROUND
Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) are increasingly used during haemodialysis (HD) to prevent clotting in the extracorporeal devices. It has been suggested that LMWH release endothelial-bound lipoprotein lipase (LPL) less efficiently than unfractionated heparin (UFH) does and thereby cause less disturbance of lipid metabolism. Evidence from in vitro studies and from animal experiments indicate, however, that both types of heparin preparations have the same ability to release endothelial LPL, but LMWH are less effective in preventing uptake and degradation of LPL in the liver. Model studies in humans indicate that LMWH cause as much depletion of LPL stores and impaired lipolysis of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins as UFH does.


METHODS
Two anticoagulant regimes based on present clinical practice were compared in nine HD patients. UFH was administered as a primed infusion, whereas the LMWH (dalteparin) was given only as a single bolus pre-dialysis. Blood was sampled regularly for LPL activity and TG.


RESULTS
LPL activity in blood was significantly lower during the dialysis with dalteparin. To explore the remaining activity at the endothelium, a bolus of UFH was given after 3 h of dialysis. The bolus brought out about the same amount of LPL, regardless of whether UFH or dalteparin had been used during dialysis. The increase in TG was significantly higher during dialysis with dalteparin.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that a single bolus of dalteparin pre-dialysis interferes with the LPL system as much as, or more than an infusion of UFH does.
Näsström
Birgit
B
Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
Stegmayr
Bernd
B
Gupta
Jitendra
J
Olivecrona
Gunilla
G
Olivecrona
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017985:Dalteparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014280:Triglycerides; D006493:Heparin; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase; D017985:Dalteparin