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Thromb Haemost 1990; 64(02): 290-293
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1647303
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Potentiation of the Antithrombotic Action of Dermatan Sulphate by Small Amounts of Heparin

D P Thomas
The Division of Haematology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, U.K.
,
E Gray
The Division of Haematology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, U.K.
,
R E Merton
The Division of Haematology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, U.K.
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Received 11 December 1989

Accepted after revision02 May 1990

Publication Date:
25 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

We have examined the effect in impairing thrombus formation of a preparation of dermatan sulphate (DS) alone and DS plus small amounts of unfractionated heparin (UFH). In rabbits given a dose of 150 μg/kg of DS alone, there was minimal reduction in serum-induced stasis thrombosis (Wessler model), with an overall score of 92.5% (100% = no impairment of thrombus formation). When the same dose of DS containing UFH was given (two different subgroups given DS containing 0.25 and 2.5% heparin by dry weight, respectively), the overall thrombus score was reduced to 60% (P <0.003), with no significant difference between the two subgroups. To achieve a comparable result with DS alone, a dose of 1 mg/kg was required. We conclude that very small amounts of UFH significantly enhance the antithrombotic action of DS, by a mechanism that has yet to be determined.