Old and new applications of non-anticoagulant heparin.
The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of non-anticoagulant effects of heparins and their potential use in new therapeutic applications. Heparin and heparin derivatives have been tested in inflammatory, pulmonary and reproductive diseases, in cardiovascular, nephro- and neuro-tissue protection and repair, but also as agents against angiogenesis, atheroschlerosis, metastasis, protozoa and viruses. Targeting and inhibition of specific mediators involved in the inflammatory process, promoting some of the above mentioned pathologies, are reported along with recent studies of heparin conjugates and oral delivery systems. Some reports from the institute of the authors, such as those devoted to glycol-split heparins are also included. Among the members and derivatives of this class, several are undergoing clinical trials as antimetastatic and antimalarial agents and for the treatment of labour pain and severe hereditary anaemia. Other heparins, whose therapeutic targets are non-anticoagulant such as nephropathies, retinopathies and cystic fibrosis are also under investigation.
Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche G Ronzoni, Milan, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Cassinelli
Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche G Ronzoni, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: naggi@ronzoni.it.
Annamaria
A
Naggi
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D058492:Drug Repositioning; D006493:Heparin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000962:Antimalarials; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006493:Heparin
Cancer; Heparins; Inflammation; Neuroprotection; Non-anticoagulant