Published in Chemistry World, 20 Apr 2011
Chemists in the UK have developed a possible alternative to protamine, a molecule used by doctors to counteract the effects of anti-clotting drugs. Unlike protamine, the new molecule should easily break down into less toxic metabolites, although it hasn’t yet been tested in human blood or plasma.
Physicians often use anti-clotting agents to treat blood disorders, or to prevent blood clotting during surgery. One of the most popular anti-clotting agents is heparin, which has been used since the 1930s. But in order to combat dangerous overdoses of heparin, or to inactivate it after surgery is complete, physicians need a heparin binder. The only clinically approved heparin binder is protamine, but this agent sometimes causes severe allergic reactions, so scientists are keen to develop alternatives. […]
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