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Non-anticoagulant derivatives of heparin for the management of asthma: distant dream or close reality?

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 09:58 authored by Madhur ShastriMadhur Shastri, Gregory PetersonGregory Peterson, Niall Stewart, Sukhwinder SohalSukhwinder Sohal, Rahul PatelRahul Patel

Introduction: Approximately 300 million people worldwide are currently affected by asthma. Improvements in the understanding of the mechanisms involved in such inflammatory airway disorders has led to the recognition of new therapeutic approaches. Heparin, a widely used anticoagulant, has been shown to be beneficial in the management of asthma. It belongs to the family of highly sulphated polysaccharides referred to as glycosaminoglycans, containing a heterogeneous mixture of both anticoagulant and non-anticoagulant polysaccharides. Experimental findings have suggested that heparin has potential anti-asthmatic properties owing to the ability of its non-anticoagulant oligosaccharides to bind and modulate the activity of a wide range of biological molecules involved in the inflammatory process.

Areas covered: This review focuses on the potential mechanisms of action and clinical application of heparin as an anti-inflammatory agent for the management of asthma.

Expert opinion: Heparin may play a significant role in the management of asthma. However, these properties are often hindered by the presence of anticoagulant oligosaccharides, which possess a significant risk of bleeding. Therefore, its therapeutic potential must be explored using well-designed clinical studies that focus on identifying and isolating the anti-inflammatory oligosaccharides of heparin and further elucidating the structure and mechanisms of actions of these non-anticoagulant oligosaccharides.

History

Publication title

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs: Authoritative Analysis of Randd Trends

Volume

23

Pagination

357-373

ISSN

1354-3784

Department/School

School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Publisher

Ashley Publications Ltd

Place of publication

Unitec House, 3Rd Fl, 2 Albert Place, Finchley Central, London, England, N3 1Qb

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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