Pleiotropic Effects of Heparin and Heparinoids in Peritoneal Dialysis

Unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, and sulodexide belong to the family of glycosaminoglycans. Recent studies report on properties other than anticoagulant activities of these medications. They include modulation of cell growth and proliferation via actions on numerous growth fact...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis 2009-02, Vol.15 (1), p.92-97
Main Authors: Gozdzikiewicz, Joanna, Borawski, Jacek, Mysliwiec, Michal
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants - pharmacology
Glycosaminoglycans - pharmacology
Growth factors
Heparin - pharmacology
Humans
Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneum - drug effects
Retrospective Studies
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Request full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, and sulodexide belong to the family of glycosaminoglycans. Recent studies report on properties other than anticoagulant activities of these medications. They include modulation of cell growth and proliferation via actions on numerous growth factors affecting the immune system and matrix molecules production and degradation. Long-term peritoneal dialysis remarkably influences peritoneal cavity homeostasis by mechanisms mediated by growth factors. They initiate progression of pathological processes and further account for morphological and functional alterations of the peritoneal membrane. The best-recognized pathologies in peritoneal cavity under these conditions encompass inflammation, fibrosis, and vasculopathy, often leading to fatal encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis. Intraperitoneal heparin and its derivatives, by their pleiotropic actions, may influence these crucial processes and improve the peritoneal dialysis technique survival in a complex and so far understudied way. These issues, novel medical approaches, and their likely mechanisms have been reviewed.
ISSN:1076-0296
1938-2723
DOI:10.1177/1076029607304722