The mode of action of low molecular weight heparin preparation (PK10169) and two of its major components on thrombin generation in plasma.

We studied the mode of action of the low molecular weight heparin PK10169 and two of its constituent fractions: EMT 966 High Molecular Weight Fraction and EMT 967 Low Molecular Weight Fraction. EMT 966 like standard heparin, acts primarily on thrombin formed and not on prothrombinase (S type heparin). In contrast EMT 967 has no direct effect on thrombin. At high concentrations, it inhibits the prothrombinase complex (P type heparin). PK10169, that contains the two EMTs shows both activities: antithrombin and antiprothrombinase (mixed type heparin). The addition of increasing amounts of EMT 967 to a constant amount of EMT 966 does not influence the breakdown constant of endogenous thrombin which is determined by the concentration of EMT 966 only. This demonstrates the absence of competition for AT III between the two components of PK10169. In platelet rich plasma, EMT 966 inhibits and postpones thrombin generation more efficiently than unfractionated heparin, probably because it is less sensitive to neutralization by platelet components (platelet factor 4). Amounts of EMT 967 that hardly inhibit thrombin generation in platelet rich plasma enhance the effect of EMT 966 probably by neutralizing platelet factor 4.