Anticoagulant activity of amino acid modified polystyrene resins: influence of the carboxylic acid function

In previous papers, we have described the preparation and heparin-like properties of insoluble modified polystyrene resins. We now report results obtained with amino acid sulphamide resins that are virtually devoid of sulphonate groups and with resins bearing both sulphonate groups as well as amino acid sulphamides with spacers of various lengths. The absence of sulphonate groups does not affect the anticoagulant activity of the former type of resin. The biologic activity of the latter type of resin is dependent upon the length of the spacer between the amino and carboxylic acid functions. Maximal anticoagulant potency is attained with a spacer consisting of three methylene groups. Biologic activity is reduced with spacers that are less than or greater than this critical size.