Characterization of a heparin-like activity released in dogs during deep hypothermia

In a previous paper, we demonstrated that deep hypothermia in dogs provokes a release of a heparin-like factor. In the present study, we investigated some properties of this anticoagulant activity and compared it with exogenous heparin activity. The endogenous anticoagulant inhibited factors IIa and Xa; it was hydrolysed by heparinase and was AT III dependent. However, it differed from heparin in so far as it was adsorbed on cation exchange gel at neutral pH, its inhibition was decreased in the presence of neuraminidase, and it could not be neutralized with Polybrene or protamine. A release of heparan sulphate is suggested but remains to be demonstrated.