COMPARISON OF OVINE, BOVINE AND PORCINE MUCOSAL HEPARINS AND LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARINS BY DISACCHARIDE ANALYSES AND C-13 NMR

Ovine, porcine and bovine heparin were compared by NMR, disaccharide c omposition, optical rotation, elemental analyses, HPSEC and USP analys es. There were some differences found in the NMR and disaccharide comp osition of the heparins. Ovine heparin contained less monosulphated an d disulphated disaccharides than porcine or bovine mucosal heparins. T he heparins were approximately equivalent in USP activity. Low molecul ar weight ovine, porcine and bovine heparin were prepared by both nitr ous acid and copper/peroxide depolymerisation. Products were compared to each other and to Fragmin(R) by disaccharide composition, optical r otation, HPSEC, NMR, elemental analyses, and the USP assay for anticoa gulant activity. The low molecular weight products showed a greater si milarity to each other than to the parent heparins and it was conclude d that the species of origin of a low molecular weight heparin would b e difficult to determine by these methods alone. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.