Heparinase: in vivo activity and immunogenicity in rabbits

Anticoagulation with heparin is required during extracorporeal circulation for hemodialysis and cardiopulmonary bypass as well as during vascular surgery. Reversal of anticoagulation with protamine may be associated with hypotension and rebound anticoagulation and requires stoichiometric doses. Heparinase from Flavobacterium heparinum catalytically degrades heparin and reverses its anticoagulant effect. Heparin was administered to New Zealand White rabbits and plasma levels were assayed with the APTT anticoagulant assay and the azure A chemical assay. Heparinase actively degraded heparin both in vitro in rabbit plasma and in vivo in rabbit blood as determined by both the anticoagulant and chemical assays when compared to control heparin disappearance curves. Antibodies to heparinase were demonstrated by the ELISA technique in rabbits receiving i.v. heparinase. These antibodies, however, did not effect the activity of the enzyme in vitro or in vivo. No toxic effects of heparinase were noted in observations of the animals or in blood and histologic studies. Heparinase, either free or immobilized, may be a useful heparin-reversing agent without the drawbacks of protamine.