Comparison of heparin specimens isolated from bovine, porcine, and whale organs

Abstract

The heparin preparations isolated by the same procedure from lung and intestine of cattle, pig, and whale have been investigated to verify the difference of whale heparin from that of other terrestrial mammalia. The analytical data, electrophoretic mobilities, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra, sedimentation figures in ultracentrifugation, and molecular weight of these compounds confirmed that the terrestrial mammalia have α-heparin, and whale, a marine mammal, ω-heparin. Although the fine structure and location of Osulfate groups of ω-heparin have not yet been established, ω-heparin was proved again to be different from α-heparin and also heparitin sulfate. No organ specificity, as far as lung and intestine concerned, was found. Heparin samples obtained from lung and intestine of whale had much less sulfur (sulfate), but higher dextrorotation than those from cattle and pig. All of the sulfate groups of these compounds were found to be titratable. The whale heparin contained N-acetylglucosamine (approximately one-fourth of the total glucosamine) as in integral component of the compound. Whale heparin (ω-heparin) was eluted as two major fractions (1.25 M Fr. and 1.5 M Fr.) by ion-exchange (Dowex-1) chromatography, while the others (α-heparin) as mainly one fraction (2.0 M Fr.) with aqueous sodium chloride. But the two major fractions of ω-heparin were shown to be identical in chemical, physical, and biological properties except for minor differences of sulfur and acetyl contents. NMR-spectra of these compounds and heparitin sulfate indicated that all of these materials have α-linkages and glucosamine 6-sulfates. ORD-spectra of the heparins showed weak positive Cotton effects at 225 mμ, while chondroitin sulfates clear negative Cotton effects at 220 mμ.