It is shown that heparin can decrease the level of inflammatory bio-markers and improve patient's condition. However, the mechanism underlying its anti-inflammatory effect is not well-understood. Can anyone please explain what could the possible mechanism be?
Hello,
One mechanism may be that chemokines bind to sulfated glycosaminoglycan chains (GAGs) of proteoglycans, such as heparin, heparan sulfate, which are immobilized at the luminal surface of endothelial cells. This is low affinity binding. If you treat patient with heparin injection, you will displace chemokines from the inflammation site and immune cells will be not attracted there and will not release even more attracting factors.
This paper discusses the potential mechanisms: Article The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Heparin and Related Compounds
Please follow this link https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aps/2015/507151/
Although the mechanisms responsible for the anticoagulant effects of heparin are well understood, those underlying its anti-inflammatory effects are not.
Article The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Heparin and Related Compounds
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