Studies on the different mechanisms by which heparin and polysulphated xylan (PZ 68) inhibit blood coagulation in man

Abstract The effects of heparin and polysulphated xylan (PZ 68, German trade name SP 54) on blood coagulation inhibition were investigated following subcutaneous administration to man. The specificity of the two compounds was shown to be different in that heparin potentiated the inhibition of both thrombin and Xa, while PZ 68 only potentiated Xa-inhibition. This is a finding which provides an opportunity for a more specific approach to coagulation inhibition than what has previously been possible. Furthermore, a much smaller interindividual variation in response was seen with PZ 68 than with heparin. On the basis of these results, PZ 68 emerges as a promising candidate for thrombosis prophylaxis.