Increased Antithrombotic Properties of Unfractionated Heparin in Rats Following Oral Administration of Multiple Doses and Its Correlation with Endothelial Heparin Concentration

Abstract

In a rat model of venous thrombosis, a single oral dose of 7.5mg kg-1 of Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) lowers thrombosis by 50%. Since clinical long-term use is necessary, our goals were to investigate the antithrombotic effects of repeated oral UFH administration. Rats were given three doses of 7.5mg kg-1 every 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours apart—as well as three or fifteen doses of 1 mg kg—1 every 48 hours—by oral gavage of cow lung UFH. The final dosage was injecting 10% formalin in methanol into the jugular vein right after thrombus start. Four hours later, the vessel was checked for thrombosis. Heparin levels in endothelium and tissue as well as plasma anticoagulant activity were assessed. As 3×7.5 When heparin (mg kg-1) was administered, the incidence of thrombosis was notably lower during 48-hour dosing intervals than with a single dose. Endothelial heparin concentration and thrombotic incidence were negatively correlated, while anticoagulant activity was not. Treatment with three doses of 1mg kg-1 every 48 hours resulted in a thrombotic incidence comparable to that of a single dosage. The total thrombotic incidence after 15 doses was comparable to that following s.c. treatment and was lower than that of 3 doses. Oral UFH delivery resulted in increased antithrombotic activity and antithrombotic effects that were comparable to those of s.c. administration. Heparin’s antithrombotic effect on endothelium was linked to it.