Low-dose heparin: a novel approach in immunosuppression

Abstract

Very low subcutaneous doses of standard and low molecular weight heparin inhibited the traffic of sensitized lymphocytes to a graft site, reduced in situ mononuclear cell infiltration and prolonged skin allograft survival in mice. Similar effects were caused by low doses of oral heparin, while higher oral doses prolonged graft survival. Our results suggest that oral heparin may have immunosuppressive properties applicable in clinical transplantation.

The management of lichen planus with low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin)

“…Very low subcutaneous doses of standard and low‐molecular‐weight heparin inhibited the traffic of sensitized lymphocytes to a graft site, reduced in situ mononuclear cell infiltration and prolonged skin allograft survival in mice. Similar effects were caused by low doses of oral heparin (16).…”

Postoperative Low Molecular Weight Heparin-induced Infection in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients. A 2-year Single Centre Experience 

“…Furthermore, heparin has immunoregulatory functions as well as it binds to cytokines and growth factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and extracellular matrix proteins (ECM), thus regulating the leukocytes. [15][16][17] It is believed that LMWH reduces the risk of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). 34 However, it is associated with quite severe adverse events, as it is the heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).…”

“…14 Recent studies have shown that LMWH has immunoregulatory functions and leads to immunosuppression. [15][16][17] Regarding this term, an important question arises, namely, whether the LMWH during the postoperative hospitalization of gastrointestinal cancer patients is linked to infection, which the presents study aims to answer.…”