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Published on: November 10, 2011
Desulphation of heparin by mice and guinea pig leukocytes
Abstract:
Leukocytes from mice and guinea pigs were tested for their sulphate-splitting activity on heparin. Mouse macrophages showed the highest degrading activity while mouse neutrophils and lymphocytes showed only a week degrading activity. Mouse macrophages maintained in tissue culture were also found to degrade heparin, the amount of sulphate released increasing with time up to 96 h. Spleen extracts were found to neutralize the anticoagulatory activity of heparin.
Insights
Mouse macrophages possess significant heparin-degrading capabilities, influencing its anticoagulant properties. Spleen extracts can neutralize heparin
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Heparin is a widely used anticoagulant.
- The enzymatic degradation of heparin is not fully understood.
- Leukocytes are immune cells with diverse enzymatic functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sulphate-splitting activity of leukocytes on heparin.
- To determine which leukocyte types exhibit heparin-degrading activity.
- To assess the effect of spleen extracts on heparin's anticoagulant function.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of heparin with leukocytes (macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes) from mice and guinea pigs.
- Measurement of released sulphate as an indicator of heparin degradation.
- Maintenance of mouse macrophages in tissue culture to study long-term degradation.
- Testing the effect of spleen extracts on heparin's anticoagulatory activity.
Main Results:
- Mouse macrophages demonstrated the highest heparin sulphate-splitting activity.
- Mouse neutrophils and lymphocytes exhibited weak heparin-degrading activity.
- Degradation of heparin by cultured mouse macrophages increased with incubation time up to 96 hours.
- Spleen extracts effectively neutralized heparin's anticoagulant effects.
Conclusions:
- Macrophages are key players in heparin degradation.
- Heparin degradation by macrophages is a time-dependent process.
- Spleen extracts possess components that can counteract heparin's anticoagulant action.
