title: The anti-inflammatory effects of heparin and related compounds.
abstract: Heparin is a glycosaminoglycan well known for its anticoagulant properties. In addition, heparin possesses anti-inflammatory effects. Although the mechanisms responsible for the anticoagulant effects of heparin are well understood, those underlying its anti-inflammatory effects are not. This review presents some of the evidence from clinical and animal studies supporting an anti-inflammatory role for heparin and heparin-related derivatives. Potential mechanisms by which heparin can exert its anti-inflammatory effects are discussed. The clinical use of heparin as an anti-inflammatory agent has been held back by the fear of bleeding. Development of nonanticoagulant heparins or heparin derivatives should mitigate this concern.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and Henderson Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. younged@hhsc.ca
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000502:physiology; D017209:Apoptosis; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control; D019087:Selectins / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C062991:AZU1 protein, human; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D019087:Selectins; D006493:Heparin