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The Sound of Evolution
Heparin
Mechanism of action:
Heparin is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan. Heparin binds to antithrombin (formerly called antithrombin III) and enhances its activity, allowing it to inhibit factor Xa and thrombin. This prevents the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin, reduces fibrin formation, and lowers the risk of thrombus formation and expansion.
Reference(s):
1. Linhardt RJ et al. (1999). Production and chemical processing of low molecular weight heparins. Semin Thromb Hemost.
2. Ferro DR et al. (1990). Conformer populations of L-iduronic acid residues in glycosaminoglycan sequences. Carbohydr Res.
3. Mulloy B et al. (1993). N.m.r. and molecular-modelling studies of the solution conformation of heparin. Biochem J.
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