Roberto J. C. Fonseca

Slight differences in sulfation of algal galactans account for differences in their anticoagulant and venous antithrombotic activities.

We compared sulfated galactans (SGs) from two species of red algae using specific coagulation assays and experimental models of thrombosis. These polysaccharides have an identical saccharide structure and the same size chain, but with slight differences in their sulfation patterns. As a consequence of these differences, the two SGs differ in their anticoagulant and venous antithrombotic activities. SG from G. crinale exhibits procoagulant and prothrombotic effects in low doses (up to 1.0 mg/kg body weight), but in high doses (>1.0 mg/kg) this polysaccharide inhibits both venous and arterial thrombosis in rats and prolongs ex-vivo recalcification time. In contrast, SG from B. occidentalis is a very potent anticoagulant and antithrombotic compound in low doses (up to 0.5 mg/kg body weight), inhibiting venous experimental thrombosis and prolonging ex-vivo recalcification time, but these effects are reverted in high doses. Only at high doses (>1.0 mg/kg) the SG from B. occidentalis inhibits arterial thrombosis. As with heparin, SG from G. crinale does not activate factor XII, while the polysaccharide from B. occidentalis activates factor XII in high concentrations, which could account for its procoagulant effect at high doses on rats. Both SGs do not modify bleeding time in rats. These results indicate that slight differences in the proportions and/or distribution of sulfated residues along the galactan chain may be critical for the interaction between proteases, inhibitors and activators of the coagulation system, resulting in a distinct pattern in anti- and procoagulant activities and in the antithrombotic action.

Effects of polysaccharides enriched in 2,4-disulfated fucose units on coagulation, thrombosis and bleeding. Practical and conceptual implications.

Sulfated polysaccharides from marine invertebrates have well-defined structures and constitute a reliable class of molecules for structure-activity relationship studies. We tested the effects of two of these polysaccharides, namely a sulfated fucan and a fucosylated chondroitin sulfate, on coagulation, thrombosis and bleeding. The compounds share similar 2,4-disulfated fucose units, which are required for high anticoagulant activity in this class of polymer. These residues occur either as branches in fucosylated chondroitin sulfate or as components of the linear chain in the sulfated fucan. These polysaccharides possess anticoagulant activity but differ significantly in their mechanisms of action. The fucosylated chondroitin sulfate inhibits thrombin by heparin cofactor II, whereas sulfated fucan inhibits thrombin by both antithrombin and heparin cofactor II. In addition, these polysaccharides also have serpin-independent anticoagulant activities. Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate, but not sulfated fucan, activates factor XII. As a result of the complex anticoagulant mechanism, the invertebrate polysaccharides differ in their effects on experimental thrombosis. For instance, the sulfated fucan inhibits venous thrombosis at lower doses than fucosylated chondroitin sulfate. In contrast, fucosylated chondroitin sulfate is significantly more potent than sulfated fucan in arterial thrombosis. Finally, fucosylated chondroitin sulfate increases bleeding, while sulfated fucan has only a discrete effect. In conclusion, the location of 2,4-disulfated fucose units in the polysaccharide chains dictates the effects on coagulation, thrombosis and bleeding.

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate as a new oral antithrombotic agent

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate is a potent anticoagulant polysaccharide extracted from sea cucumber. Its anticoagulant activity is attributed to the presence of sulfated fucose branches. We have shown that intravascular injection of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate inhibits thrombus formation in a venous and an arterial shunt model in rats. Since this compound resists digestion by enzymes that cleave mammalian glycosaminoglycans, we investigated the possibility that fucosylated chondroitin sulfate might be absorbed after oral administration. In fact, after oral administration of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate to rats, we observed a dose-dependent increase in the plasma anticoagulant activity, as assessed by assays for activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin time (TT) (about 3- and 5-fold, respectively) and by anti-IIa activity. Furthermore, animals receiving daily oral doses of this glycosaminoglycan showed a decrease in thrombus weight on experimental models of venous and arterial shunt thrombosis. This antithrombotic action clearly has a strong relationship with anticoagulant activity. Similar doses of heparin administered orally had no effect on the plasma anticoagulant activity or on the thrombus weight. Finally, we observed that fucosylated chondroitin sulfate given orally to rats did not modify the bleeding time. Overall, our results indicate that fucosylated chondroitin sulfate is absorbed after oral administration and could become a promising oral anticoagulant.

Effects of oversulfated and fucosylated chondroitin sulfates on coagulation. Challenges for the study of anticoagulant polysaccharides.

We report the effects of a chemically oversulfated chondroitin sulfate and a naturally fucosylated chondroitin sulfate on the coagulation system. The former has been recently identified as a contaminant of heparin preparations and the latter has been proposed as an alternative anticoagulant. The mechanism of action of these polymers on coagulation is complex and target different components of the coagulation system. They have serpin-independent anticoagulant activity, which preponderates in plasma. They also have serpin-dependent anticoagulant activity but differ significantly in the target coagulation protease and preferential serpin. Their anticoagulant effects differ even more markedly when tested as inhibitors of coagulation proteases using plasma as a source of serpins. It is possible that the difference is due to the high availability of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate whereas oversulfated chondroitin sulfate has strong unspecific binding to plasma protein and low availability for the binding to serpins. When tested using a venous thrombosis experimental model, oversulfated chondroitin sulfate is less potent as an antithrombotic agent than fucosylated chondroitin sulfate. These highly sulfated chondroitin sulfates activate factor XII in in vitro assays, based on kallikrein release. However, only fucosylated chondroitin sulfate induces hypotension when intravenously injected into rats. In conclusion, the complexity of the regulatory mechanisms involved in the action of highly sulfated polysaccharides in coagulation requires their analysis by a combination of in vitro and in vivo assays. Our results are relevant due to the urgent need for new anticoagulant drugs or alternative sources of heparin.

Heparins from porcine and bovine intestinal mucosa: Are they similar drugs?

Increasing reports of bleeding and peri- or post-operative blood dyscrasias in Brazil were possibly associated with the use of heparin from bovine instead of porcine intestine. These two pharmaceutical grade heparins were analysed for potential differences. NMR analyses confirmed that porcine heparin is composed of mainly trisulfated disaccharides -->4-alpha-IdoA2S-1-->4-alpha-GlcNS6S-1-->. Heparin from bovine intestine is also composed of highly 2-sulfated alpha-iduronic acid residues, but the sulfation of the alpha-glucosamine units vary significantly: approximately 50% are 6- and N -disulfated, as in porcine heparin, while approximately 36% are 6-desulfated and approximately 14% N -acetylated. These heparins differ significantly in their effects on coagulation, thrombosis and bleeding. Bovine heparin acts mostly through factor Xa. Compared to porcine heparin on a weight basis, bovine heparin exhibited approximately half of the anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects, but similar effect on bleeding. These two heparins also differ in their protamine neutralisation curves. The doses of heparin from bovine intestine required for effective antithrombotic protection and the production of adverse bleeding effects are closer than those for porcine heparin. This observation may explain the increasing bleeding observed among Brazilian patients. Our results suggest that these two types of heparin are not equivalent drugs.

Influence of molecular weight of chemically sulfated citrus pectin fractions on their antithrombotic and bleeding effects

Evaluated were the anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities, and bleeding effect of two chemically sulfated polysaccharides, obtained from citric pectin, with different average molar masses. Both low-molecular-weight (Pec-LWS, 3,600 g/mol) and high-molecular-weight sulfated pectins (Pec-HWS, 12,000 g/mol) had essentially the same structure, consisting of a (1-->4)-linked alpha-D-GalpA chain with almost all its HO-2 and HO-3 groups substituted by sulfate. Both polysaccharides had anticoagulant activity in vitro, although Pec-HWS was a more potent antithrombotic agent in vivo, giving rise to total inhibition of venous thrombosis at a dose of 3.5 mg/kg body weight. Surprisingly, in contrast with heparin, Pec-HWS and Pec-LWS are able to directly inhibit alpha-thrombin and factor Xa by a mechanism independent of antithrombin (AT) and/or heparin co-factor II (HCII). Moreover, Pec-HWS provided a lower risk of bleeding than heparin at a dose of 100% effectiveness against venous thrombosis, indicating it to be a promising antithrombotic agent.

Heparin from bovine intestinal mucosa: Glycans with multiple sulfation patterns and anticoagulant effects

Pharmaceutical grade heparins from porcine intestine and bovine lung consist mainly of repeating tri-sulfated units, of the disaccharide →4-α-IdoA2S-1→4-α-GlcNS6S-1→. Heparin preparations from bovine intestine, in contrast, are more heterogeneous. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and disaccharide analysis after heparinase digestions show that heparin from bovine intestine contains α-glucosamine with significant substitutive variations: 64% are 6-O-sulfated and N -sulfated, as in porcine intestinal heparin while 36% are 6-desulfated. Desulfated α-iduronic acid units are contained in slightly lower proportions in bovine than in porcine heparin. NMR data also indicate N-, 3- and 6-trisulfated α-glucosamine (lower proportions) and α-GlcNS-1→4-α-GlcA and α-IdoA2S-1→4-α-GlcNAc (higher amounts) in bovine than in porcine heparin. Porcine and bovine heparins can be fractionated by anion exchange chromatography into three fractions containing different substitutions on the α-glucosamine units. Each individual fraction shows close disaccharide composition and anticoagulant activity, regardless of their origin (bovine or porcine intestine). However, these two heparins differ markedly in the proportions of the three fractions. Interestingly, fractions with the typical heparin disaccharides of porcine intestine are present in bovine intestinal heparin. These fractions contain high in vitro anticoagulant activity, reduced antithrombotic effect and high bleeding tendency. These observations indicate that the prediction of haemostatic effects of heparin preparations cannot rely exclusively on structural analysis and anticoagulant assays in vitro . Minor structural components may account for variations on in vivo effects. In conclusion, we suggest that pharmaceutical grade bovine intestinal heparin, even after purification procedures, is not an equivalent drug to porcine intestinal heparin.

The Protective Role of Fucosylated Chondroitin Sulfate, a Distinct Glycosaminoglycan, in a Murine Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy

Background Heparanase-1 activation, albuminuria, and a decrease in glomerular heparan sulfate (HS) have been described in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-based drugs have been shown to have renoprotective effects in this setting, although recent trials have questioned their clinical effectiveness. Here, we describe the effects of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FCS), a novel GAG extracted from a marine echinoderm, in experimentally induced DN compared to a widely used GAG, enoxaparin (ENX). Methods Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced by streptozotocin in male Wistar rats divided into three groups: DM (without treatment), FCS (8 mg/kg), and ENX (4 mg/kg), administered subcutaneously. After 12 weeks, we measured blood glucose, blood pressure, albuminuria, and renal function. The kidneys were evaluated for mesangial expansion and collagen content. Immunohistochemical quantifications of macrophages, TGF-β, nestin and immunofluorescence analysis of heparanase-1 and glomerular basement membrane (GBM) HS content was also performed. Gene expression of proteoglycan core proteins and enzymes involved in GAG assembly/degradation were analyzed by TaqMan real-time PCR. Results Treatment with GAGs prevented albuminuria and did not affect the glucose level or other functional aspects. The DM group exhibited increased mesangial matrix deposition and tubulointerstitial expansion, and prevention was observed in both GAG groups. TGF-β expression and macrophage infiltration were prevented by the GAG treatments, and podocyte damage was halted. The diabetic milieu resulted in the down-regulation of agrin, perlecan and collagen XVIII mRNAs, along with the expression of enzymes involved in GAG biosynthesis. Treatment with FCS and ENX positively modulated such changes. Heparanase-1 expression was significantly reduced after GAG treatment without affecting the GBM HS content, which was uniformly reduced in all of the diabetic animals. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the administration of FCS prevented several pathological features of ND in rats. This finding should stimulate further research on GAG treatment for this complication of diabetes.

Improved anticoagulant effect of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate orally administered as gastro-resistant tablets

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FucCS) is a potent anticoagulant polysaccharide extracted from sea cucumber. Its anticoagulant activity is attributed to the presence of unique branches of sulfated fucose. Although this glycosaminoglycan exerts an antithrombotic effect following oral administration, high doses are necessary to achieve the maximum effect. The diminished activity of FucCS following oral administration is likely due to its degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and its limited ability to cross the intestinal cell membranes. The latter aspect is particularly difficult to overcome. However, gastro-resistant tablet formulation may help limit the degradation of FucCS in the gastrointestinal tract. In the present work, we found that the oral administration of FucCS as gastro-resistant tablets produces a more potent and prolonged anticoagulant effect compared with its administration as an aqueous solution, with no significant changes in the bleeding tendency or arterial blood pressure. Experiments using animal models of arterial thrombosis initiated by endothelial injury demonstrated that FucCS delivered as gastro-protective tablets produced a potent antithrombotic effect, whereas its aqueous solution was ineffective. However, there was no significant difference between the effects of FucCS delivered as gastro-resistant tablets or as aqueous solution in a venous thrombosis model, likely due to the high dose of thromboplastin used. New oral anticoagulants tested in these experimental models for comparison showed significantly increased bleeding tendencies. Our study provides a framework for developing effective oral anticoagulants based on sulfated polysaccharides from marine organisms. The present results suggest that FucCS is a promising oral anticoagulant.

Occurrence of sulfated fucose branches in fucosylated chondroitin sulfate are essential for the polysaccharide effect preventing muscle damage induced by toxins and crude venom from Bothrops jararacussu snake

Snake envenoming is an important public health problem around the world, particularly in tropics. Beyond deaths, morbidity induced by snake venoms, such as myotoxicity, is of pivotal consequence to population. Bothrops jararacussu is the main venomous snake in southeast region of Brazil, and particularly presents strong myotoxic effect. The only available therapy, antibothropic antivenom, poorly affects venom-induced myotoxicity. The aim of this study is to assess the ability of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (fucCS), a glycosaminoglycan with anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties, and its derivatives to inhibit toxic activities of B. jararacussu crude venom and its isolated toxins, named bothropstoxins (BthTX-I and BthTX-II). The in vitro myotoxic activities induced by crude venom, by BthTX-I alone and by toxins together were abolished by fucCS. Carboxyl reduction (fucCS-CR) kept this ability whereas defucosilation (defucCS) abrogates myoprotection. We observed the same pattern in the response of these polysaccharides in antagonizing the increase in plasma creatine kinase (CK) levels, the reduction of skeletal muscle CK content and the rise of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity induced by crude venom and isolated toxins. FucCS inhibited edematogenic activity and partially prevented the reduction of total leukocytes in blood when pre-incubated with crude venom. Furthermore, the venom procoagulant effect was completely antagonized by increasing concentrations of fucCS, although this polyanion could stop neither the tail bleeding nor the skin hemorrhage induced by Bothrops jararaca venom. The B. jararacussu phospholipase, hyaluronidase, proteolytic and collagenase activities were inhibited in vitro. The results suggest that fucCS could be able to interact with both toxins, and it is able to inhibit BthTX-II phospholipase activity. Light microscopy of extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) muscle showed myoprotection by fucCS, once necrotic areas, edema and inflammatory cells were all decreased as compared to venom injection alone. Altogether, data show that fucCS was able to inhibit myotoxicity and inflammation induced by B. jararacussu venom and its phospholipase toxins, BthTX-I and BthTX-II. Thus, fucosylated chondroitin sulfate is a new polyanion with potential to be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of snakebites in the future.