Disposition of a new heparan sulfate with fibrinolytic activity in the rat.

A fluoresceinated derivative of a new heparan sulfate fraction (HS) was administered by intravenous route to rats. The compound was similar to the unlabelled compound and biologically active. After i.v. injection, pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed and discussed according to a two-compartment open model. In addition, experiments performed with the unlabelled compound indicate that the HS is absorbed through the intestinal mucosa, reaches the highest plasmatic concentration after 90 min and is partially recovered, unmodified, in urine. Other sets of experiments, in vitro, show that the compound is degraded in the presence of hepatic microsomal preparation while it is not metabolized by plasma, confirming that the liver plays an important role in the metabolism and consequently on the activity of the compound. The overall results are in accordance with the fibrinolytic and antithrombotic activity of HS administered orally to animals and man.

Some chemical and biological properties of the low molecular weight heparan sulfate alpha-idosane.

A low molecular weight heparan sulfate derivative, alpha-idosane was separated from a mixture of glycosaminoglycans extracted from porcine mucosa. Its molecular weight, sulfur, uronic acid and hexosamine contents, C-NMR spectrum and electrophoretic properties are reported in this paper. The pharmacological effects of a-idosane were investigated "ex vivo" in dogs and rats. At doses of 10-50 mg/kg p.o., a-idosane shows fibrinolytic activity but it is devoid of anticoagulant action. At the dose of 100 mg/kg p.o. a-idosane exertes a significant anti-inflammatory effect but is unable to protect the rats against arachidonate-induced sudden death.