C. Seidel et al., Hepatocyte growth factor in serum after injection of unfractionated and low molecular weight heparin in healthy individuals, BR J HAEM, 105(3), 1999, pp. 641-647
Soluble heparin displaces the cytokine hepatocyte growth fatter (HGF) from
heparan sulphate proteoglycans on the cell surface and in the extracellular
matrix into the circulation. We examined serum HGF elevation after heparin
injections, and whether there is a difference between unfractionated hepar
in (UH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in their ability to increas
e serum HGF. 20 healthy individuals were randomized to a single injection o
f intravenous or subcutaneous UH or LMWH. There was a significant increase
in HGF From pretreatment values. This HGF was bioactive. When these prepara
tions were compared on the basis of their serum concentrations (anti-factor
Xa activity or molar concentrations), the increase in HGF was greater in i
ndividuals receiving UH than LMWH. When UH or LMWH were administered over a
5d period, the increase in HGF as well as the difference between treatment
s to induce HGF remained stable throughout the treatment, In Eve patients t
reated with continuous intravenous heparin infusion HGF was increased throu
ghout the treatment period of 5-7 d, In summary, the rise in bioactive HGF
after heparin treatment was stable during continued treatment, UH was more
potent in inducing HGF increase than LMWH, both after a single injection an
d after several days of treatment.