PHARMACOLOGICAL VALIDATION OF THE CLINICAL EFFECTS OF AN OPTIMIZED LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARIN REVIPARIN

Reviparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) prepared by controlled nitrous acid digestion of porcine mucosal heparin. The trade name designation for this agent is Clivarin.(R) This agent has been released in Germany and France for the prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in surgical patients. This agent is developed utilizing optimized procedures and exhibits a uniform, narrow-molecular-weight distribution in comparison to the other commercially available LMWHs. The specific activity in the anticoagulant assays is approximated to be 32 U/mg whereas the specific activity in terms of anti-Xa units is designated 120 aXa U/mg. Reviparin is capable of producing a dose- and time-dependent antithrombotic effect in animal models of thrombosis. While the ex vivo effects are initially presented at antithrombotically active dosages, this agent has been found to produce antithrombotic effects without any detectable ex vivo actions. This agent is also known to release tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) after both intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) administration. Repeated administration of Reviparin produces progressively stronger antithrombotic effects. Similarly, the bleeding as measured by rabbit ear blood loss is also progressively increased. However, the ratio between the dosage producing these effects is quite large. The current studies are designed to provide additional data on the molecular profile using new calibration methods and additional results on the pharmacologic studies in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, the release of TFPI following IV and SC administration in a primate model is described. The effect of repeated administration mimicking the postsurgical prophylaxis of DVT is also reported in terms of any augmentation of the antithrombotic or hemorrhagic effects of these agents.