THROMBOCYTOPOIETIC EFFECT OF HEPARIN GIVEN IN CHRONIC IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA

Our previous in-vitro and in-vivo studies showed that heparin enhanced murine and human megakaryocytopoiesis. 20 patients with chronic immun e thrombocytopenic purpura were randomly divided into two groups and g iven 10 mg per day of prednisone for 30 days, for haemostatic purposes . One group received in addition heparin (1250 IU twice a day subcutan eously for 30 days). From day 10, a significant increase in platelet c ount was observed in eight of the ten patients treated with heparin (p <0.05), with return to the initial value after heparin cessation in si x of the responders. These data demonstrate the effectiveness of hepar in and suggest its use or that of other related compounds for therapy of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura.