1. Heparin: An old drug for new clinical applications.
- Author
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Wang, Peipei, Chi, Lianli, Zhang, Zhenqing, Zhao, Hongmei, Zhang, Fuming, and Linhardt, Robert J.
- Subjects
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HEPARIN , *CLINICAL medicine , *DRUG utilization , *COVID-19 , *ANTINEOPLASTIC agents , *MOLECULAR weights , *SEPSIS - Abstract
Heparin, an old but first-line anticoagulant, has been used over a century. It is a heterogeneous, linear, highly sulfated, anionic glycosaminoglycan with a broad distribution in relative molecular weight and charge density. These structural properties allow heparin to selectively interact with multiple proteins, leading to heparin's various pharmacological functions, such as anticoagulant, anti-viral, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Clinical data suggest that unfractionated heparin or low molecule weight heparin could decrease mortality in COVID-19 patients with sepsis-induced hypercoagulation through the anticoagulant, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activities of these drugs. Thus, the non-anticoagulant activity of heparin has again aroused attention. This review highlights recent advances in the preparation of heparin-derived drugs and clinical research on its non-anticoagulant properties over the past decade, to further the development and utilization of these important drugs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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