Heparin Sodium Porcine
Porcine Mucosa.
Heparin, Porcine Heparin, Heparin Pig.
Sterile Filtered White lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder.
Description
Heparin Sodium Porcine is a natural native protein.
Product Specs
Heparin, Porcine Heparin, Heparin Pig.
Porcine Mucosa.
Product Science Overview
Heparin was first discovered in 1916 by Jay McLean, a medical student, while working in the laboratory of William Henry Howell. Initially, it was isolated from the liver of dogs, but later, the pharmaceutical industry optimized the process to purify heparin from other sources . Over time, porcine intestinal mucosa became the primary source for heparin production due to its higher yield and lower contamination risk compared to bovine sources .
Heparin Sodium is produced by extracting and purifying heparin from the intestinal mucosa of pigs. The extracted heparin is then standardized for anticoagulant activity using a biological assay with a USP reference standard based on units of heparin activity per milligram . This ensures consistent potency and efficacy in clinical use.
Heparin Sodium Porcine is primarily used as an anticoagulant to prevent and treat thrombosis. It is administered by intravenous or deep subcutaneous routes . Heparin works by inhibiting thrombin and factor Xa, which are essential components of the blood clotting process. This makes it a critical therapeutic agent during surgeries, dialysis, and in the treatment of various thromboembolic disorders .
Recent studies have compared the pharmacological profiles of heparin derived from different animal sources, including bovine, ovine, and porcine. These studies have shown that porcine heparin has comparable anticoagulant and antiprotease activities to ovine heparin, while bovine heparin exhibited somewhat lower potency . Additionally, porcine heparin is currently the only source approved for use in the United States .
One of the known side effects of heparin is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), which occurs in about 1% of patients exposed to heparin . HIT is a serious condition where the immune system forms antibodies against the heparin-platelet factor 4 complex, leading to a decrease in platelet count and an increased risk of thrombosis.
Given the reliance on porcine sources for heparin production, there are ongoing efforts to explore alternative sources and bioengineered heparin to address potential shortages and cultural or religious concerns . These efforts aim to ensure a stable supply of heparin while maintaining its safety and efficacy.
