Zur Chemie des Heparins

Abstract

The organic framework of the protein-free heparin polysaccharide consists of equivalent amts. of glucosamine, acetic acid and'' a uronic acid. The expts. are carried out with heparin from beef liver. Fractionation of the brucine salt of the polysaccharide in hot H2O causes an increase of the S conc. from 8.8 to 12.56%, of optical activity from +45.7[degree] to about +63.5[degree], and of anticoagulation activity from 65 to 140% of a standard heparin prepn. The most active heparin prepns. have a composition similar to that of mucoitintrisulfuric acid. Autolysis of liver or lung tissue does not seem to harm the heparin. Since each animal produces its specific heparin, it is not probable that a standard crystalline heparin, with well defined chemical and biological properties can be prepared. As a standard heparin, the author uses the dried powder of the Na salt of heparin from beef liver. Heparin is present in the liver, lungs, heart, mucous membranes, etc., of vertebrates and is formed in the mast cells, which are abundant near the small blood vessels. In man and rabbits, 20-25% of injected heparin can be recovered in the urine within an hr. after inj.