biocompatible cryogels for heparin neutralization

: Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) and its low molecular weight fragments (LMWH) are widely used as anticoagulants for surgical procedures and extracorporeal blood purification therapies such as cardiovascular surgery and dialysis. The anticoagulant effect of heparin is essential for the optimal execution of extracorporeal blood circulation. However, at the end of the procedures, to avoid the risk of bleeding, it is necessary to neutralize it. Currently the only antidote for the neutralization of heparin neutralization is protamine sulphate, a highly basic protein, which constitutes a further source of serious side events and is ineffective in neutralizing LMWH. Furthermore, dialysis patients, due to the routine administration of heparin, often experience serious adverse effects of among which HIT (Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia) is one of the most severe. For this reason, the finding of new heparin antagonists or alternative methods for heparin removal from blood is of great interest. Here, we describe the synthesis and characteri-zation of a set of biocompatible macroporous cryogels based on poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacry-late) (pHEMA) and L-lysine with strong filtering attitude and remarkable neutralization perfor-mances towards UFH and LMWH. These properties could enable the design and creation of a filtering device to rapidly reverse heparin, preventing patients from the harmful consequences of the anticoagulant.

MECCA Mecca;  SPITALERI Fabiola;  LA SPINA Rita;  GIORIA Sabrina;  GIGLIO Valentina;  CUNSOLO Francesca; 

2024-10-14

MOLECULAR DIVERSITY PRESERVATION INTERNATIONAL

JRC138325

1422-0067 (online),   

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/12/6503,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC138325,   

10.3390/ijms25126503 (online),