Modification of polyurethane surface with an antithrombin-heparin complex for blood contact: influence of molecular weight of polyethylene oxide used as a linker/spacer

Polyurethane (PU) was modified using isocyanate chemistry to graft polyethylene oxide (PEO) of various molecular weights (range 300-4600). An antithrombin-heparin (ATH) covalent complex was subsequently attached to the free PEO chain ends, which had been functionalized with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) groups. Surfaces were characterized by water contact angle and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to confirm the modifications. Adsorption of fibrinogen from buffer was found to decrease by ~80% for the PEO-modified surfaces compared to the unmodified PU. The surfaces with ATH attached to the distal chain end of the grafted PEO were equally protein resistant, and when the data were normalized to the ATH surface density, PEO in the lower MW range showed greater protein resistance. Western blots of proteins eluted from the surfaces after plasma contact confirmed these trends. The uptake of ATH on the PEO-modified surfaces was greatest for the PEO of lower MW (300 and 600), and antithrombin binding from plasma (an indicator of heparin anticoagulant activity) was highest for these same surfaces. The PEO-ATH- and PEO-modified surfaces also showed low platelet adhesion from flowing whole blood. It is concluded that for the PEO-ATH surfaces, PEO in the low MW range, specifically MW 600, may be optimal for achieving an appropriate balance between resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption and the ability to take up ATH and bind antithrombin in subsequent blood contact.     

Tissue engineering of heart valves by recellularization of glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine valves using bone marrow-derived cells

To increase the biocompatibility and durability of glutaraldehyde (GA)-fixed valves, a biological coating with viable endothelial cells (ECs) has been proposed. However, stable EC layers have not been formed successfully on GA-fixed valves due to their inability to repopulate. In this study, to improve cellular adhesion and proliferation, the GA-fixed prostheses were detoxified by treatment with citric acid to remove free aldehyde groups. Canine bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) were differentiated into EC-like cells and myofibroblast-like cells in vitro. Detoxified prostheses were seeded and recellularized with differentiated bone marrow- derived cells (BMCs) for seven days. Untreated GA-fixed prostheses were used as controls. Cell attachment, proliferation, metabolic activity, and viability were investigated and cell-seeded leaflets were histologically analyzed. On detoxified GA-fixed prostheses, BMC seeding resulted in uninhibited cell proliferation after seven days. In contrast, on untreated GA-fixed prostheses, cell attachment was poor and no viable cells were observed. Positive staining for smooth muscle a-actin, CD31, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen was observed on the luminal side of the detoxified valve leaflets, indicating differentiation and proliferation of the seeded BMCs. These results demonstrate that the treatment of GA-fixed valves with citric acid established a surface more suitable for cellular attachment and proliferation. Engineering heart valves by seeding detoxified GA-fixed biological valve prostheses with BMCs may increase biocompatibility and durability of the prostheses. This method could be utilized as a new approach for the restoration of heart valve structure and function in the treatment of end-stage heart valve disease.     

Three novel high performance affinity chromatographic media for the separation of antithrombin III from human plasma.

Novel monodisperse, non-porous, cross-linked poly (glycidyl methacrylate) beads (PGMA) were employed as the support for high performance affinity chromatography. Heparin was covalently attached to PGMA beads by three different coupling methods. Heparin-PGMA-I was prepared by directly coupling amino-groups of heparin with PGMA. Heparin-PGMA-II and III were prepared by the coupling of heparin to amino-PGMA, which was obtained by amination of PGMA. Heparin-PGMA-II was prepared by coupling the carboxyl groups of heparin to amino-PGMA by using water-soluble carbodiimide as coupling reagent, and heparin-PGMA-III was prepared by the reductive amination of heparin and amino-PGMA with sodium cyanoborohydride. The heparin contents of heparin-PGMA-I, II and III were 1.6, 10.2 and 1.0 mg/g beads, respectively. Their affinity capacities for antithrombin III were investigated. Their binding activity to antithrombin III was not proportional to the content of heparin immobilized, and heparin-PGMA-I was the most efficient affinity medium for antithrombin III. The resultant affinity media presented minimal non-specific interaction with other proteins and can be used in a wide pH range. All the three heparin-PGMA beads were exploited for the separation of antithrombin III from human plasma. The purity of antithrombin III obtained was higher than 90%, which was confirmed by high performance size exclusion chromatography.     

Stabilized hemocompatible coating of nitinol devices based on photo-cross-linked alginate/heparin multilayer

A novel stabilized hemocompatible multicomponent coating was engineered by consecutive alternating adsorption of two polysaccharides, alginate (Alg) and heparin (Hep), onto a Nitinol surface via electrostatic interaction in combination with photoreaction in situ. For this purpose, a photosensitive cross-linker, p-diazonium diphenyl amine polymer (PA), was used as an interlayer between alginate and heparin. The optical intensity of UV/vis spectra increased linearly with the number of layers, indicating the buildup of a multilayer structure and uniform coating. Photo-cross-linking resulted in higher stability without compromising its catalytic capacity to promote antithrombin III (ATIII)-mediated thrombin inactivation. Chromogenic assays for heparin activity proved definitively that anticoagulation activity really comes from surface-bound heparin in multilayer film, not from solution-phase free heparin that has leaked from multilayer film. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assay showed that both (PA/Hep)8- and (PA/Alg/PA/Hep)4-coated Nitinol were less thrombogenic than the uncoated one. Yet, the latter was found to be more stable under a continuous shaken wash. In addition, (PA/Alg/PA/Hep)4 film exhibited lower surface roughness and higher hydrophilicity than (PA/Hep)8. As a result, hemolysis of (PA/Alg/PA/Hep)4 (0.34 +/- 0.064%) was lower than (PA/Hep)8 (0.52 +/- 0.241%). The naked Nitinol and (PA/Hep)8-coated Nitinol showed relatively strong platelet adhesion. On the contrary, no sign of any cellular matter was seen on the (PA/Alg/PA/Hep)4 surface. It is believed that the phenomenon of interlayer diffusion resulted in blended structures, hence, the enhanced wettability and antifouling properties after the incorporation of alginate layers. It is likely that the cooperative effect of alginate and heparin led to the excellent blood compatibility of the (PA/Alg/PA/Hep)4 coating. To simplify, there is greater advantage in utilizing cross-linked alginate/heparin surfaces rather than merely the heparin surface for improving blood- and tissue-compatible devices.     

Experimental proof for the structure of a thrombin-inhibiting heparin molecule

Kinetic studies of thrombin inhibition by antithrombin in the presence of heparin have shown that thrombin binds to heparin in a preformed heparin-antithrombin complex. To study the relative position of the thrombin binding domain and the antithrombin binding domain on a heparin molecule we have designed and synthesized heparin mimetics, which structurally are very similar to the genuine polysaccharide. Their inhibitory properties with respect to factor Xa and thrombin provide experimental evidence that in heparin the thrombin binding domain must be located at the nonreducing end of the antithrombin binding domain to observe thrombin inhibition. As expected, factor Xa inhibition is not affected by elongation of the antithrombin binding pentasaccharide sequence, regardless of the position in which this elongation takes place.     

Interaction between human tissue thromboplastin and human antithrombin III

It is known that antithrombin III (ATIII) activity is inhibited by tissue thromboplastin (TP) in the presence of heparin. In our study on the mechanism of the inhibition, however, TP was found to inhibit ATIII activity even in the absence of heparin, indicating an interaction between ATIII and TP. We then studied effect of ATIII on the interaction between factor VII (FVII) and TP using FVII-depleted human plasma. When the mixture of FVII + ATIII + TP was incubated at 37 degrees C and mixed with FVII-depleted plasma, the interaction between FVII and TP was inhibited. Possible complex formation was examined by electrophoretic techniques. In the immunoelectrophoresis, ATIII shifted toward the cathode in the presence of TP and the substance which had changed the mobility of ATIII showed TP activity after zone electrophoresis. The results indicated that TP had shifted toward the anode due to ATIII while ATIII had shifted toward the cathode due to TP. In the immunoblotting analysis, ATIII was separated into several bands in the presence of TP. ATIII antigenicity was altered in the presence of both heparin and TP but not in the presence of TP alone. Our results strongly suggest that TP modulates ATIII activity in the initiation of the TP-mediated coagulation cascade and that in progressing coagulation ATIII participates in the inhibition of the coagulation cascade by blocking not only thrombin activity but also the interaction between TP and FVII.     

体积排阻色谱法测定低分子量肝素抗凝血因子Xa的活性

发展了一种基于体积排阻色谱测定低分子量肝素(LMWH)抗凝血活性的方法。利用肝素与抗凝血酶Ⅲ(ATⅢ)结合后可增强ATⅢ对凝血因子Xa(FXa)抑制作用的原理,通过测定加入LMWH后FXa水解其生色底物产生对硝基苯胺(pNA)这一反应的抑制程度确定LMWH的活性。首先将含有一定浓度LMWH的缓冲溶液与ATⅢ溶液混合,然后依次加入FXa和生色底物,分别孵育一段时间。底物被FXa水解,产生游离的pNA。体积排阻色谱可将小分子产物pNA与其他大分子分离开,因而可以在pNA的最大吸收波长下得到高灵敏度的测定,并且不再受其他成分的干扰。该方法重复性好,灵敏度高,极大地减少了样品的消耗量,降低了成本,并且还可进行各种复杂样品(如血浆)中LMWH抗FXa活性的监测。     

Preparation of Polyporus Albicans Teng Sulfate and Its Anti-coagulation Activity

More studies have indicated that polysaccharide sulfate has anti-coagulant activity.Now,heparin is the most popular anticoagulant used in clinic,however,its side effects have also caused highly concern.It is still under intensive investigations to synthesize effective safe polysaccharide sulfate as heparin substitute.We extracted water-soluble polysaccharide from fermented mycelium of edible polyporus albicans(Imaz.) teng,and got the water-soluble polyporus albicans teng sulfate(PATS) by modifying the water-solubility polyose with the method of chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine.The anti-coagulant assay of PATS in vitro towards normal human plasma indicates its remarkable anticoagulant activity,while the dose could be as low as 5 mg/L for anticoagulation.The anti-coagulant effect was equivalent to that of heparin about 150 U when the concentration of PATS was 10 mg/L.The study on anti-coagulation mechanism suggests that PATS got involved in the intrinsic pathway.The anti-coagulation activity of PATS was due to the inhibition of the coagulation factors IIa and Xa activities mediated by antithrombin Ⅲ(ATIII).The anti-coagulation mechanism of PATS is absolutely identical to that of heparin.In conclusion,we suggest that PATS has the similar anti-coagulation characteristic to heparin,but with a better anti-coagulation effect.Meanwhile,derived from edible fungus-polysaccharide,PATS has more bio-safety advantage.Therefore,PATS has promising future to be developed and used as an ideal substitute for heparin in clinic.     

Corrosion processes below organic coatings

The protective mechanisms of paint systems of a 1-pack polyurethane- and an epoxy/2-pack polyurethane-coating system with zinc dust priming coats were investigated on blast-cleaned and on hand-cleaned steel substrates. The coated panels were exposed to the salt spray test and to a cyclic alternating test (VDA 621-415). The protective effect was assessed in determining adhesion, undermining at scratches, water uptake and the corrosion potential. On blast cleaned steel substrates the adhesion of the investigated coating systems was not influenced by water uptake of the coatings. Scratches are especially cathodically protected. On hand-cleaned steel surfaces the rust layer between steel substrate and coating can participate in the corrosion process with rust reduction as cathodic partial reaction. The change of rust morphology is the reason for the loss of adhesion of coating. At scratches rust reduction takes also place at the edge of the defect which is independent from pigments of the base coating.     

Macrophage uptake of core-shell nanoparticles surface modified with poly(ethylene glycol)

The in vitro uptake of core-shell nanoparticles encapsulated in a bio-macromolecular nanoshell assembled from multilayered polyelectrolytes was studied. Sulfate modified fluorescent polystyrene nanobeads (diameter 200 nm) were used as a solid core upon which charged multilayers of poly-l-lysine, chitosan, and heparin sulfate are electrostatically deposited utilizing a layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly process. The nanoshell composed of the multilayered polyelectrolytes was modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of varying molecular weights (either MW 2000, 5000, or 20 000 Da) to form a hydrophilic and long-circulating nanoparticle. The assembly of the nanoshell was confirmed by zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The reversal in charge upon the deposition of alternating polyelectrolytes was observed by zeta potential measurements. The nanometer thickness of the nanoshell was confirmed by TEM. The presence of the (C-C-O)(n)() backbone in PEG at the surface of the nanoshell was confirmed by the increase in (C-O,N) peak area concentrations compared to (C-C) peak area, and these results were gathered from XPS. In vitro studies between suspension macrophages and core-shell nanoparticles were performed to determine how the hydrophilicity and the charge on the nanoshell can promote or reduce uptake. Results showed that after 24 h uptake was decreased 3-fold when PEGs of 2000 and 20 000 Da were chemisorbed to the nanoshell, as opposed to a nanoshell with either a positive or highly negative charge. Confocal microscopy aided in verifying that core-shell nanoparticles were internalized within the cell cytoplasm and were not attached to the cell surface. Protein adhesion studies with bovine serum albumin were performed to determine the relationship between surface charge and opsonization of core-shell nanoparticles. It was found that a hydrophilic surface with a low negative charge reduced protein adsorption and uptake. The in vitro uptake of macrophages and protein adsorption onto core-shell nanoparticles formed using layer-by-layer assembly has not been previously studied.     

Functionality and stability of heparin immobilized onto poly(dimethylsiloxane)

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) has become an attractive material when working in the field of microfluidics, mainly because of the rapid prototyping process it involves. The increased surface volume ratio in microchannels makes the interaction between sample and material surface highly important, evident when handling complex biological samples such as plasma or blood. This study demonstrates a new grade of non-covalent heparin surface that adds efficient anticoagulant property to the PDMS material. The surface modification is a simple and fast one-step process performed at neutral pH, optimal when working with closed microsystems. The heparin formed a uniform and functional coating on hydrophobic PDMS with comparatively high level of antithrombin-binding capacity. In addition, long-term studies revealed that the immobilized heparin was more or less stable in the microchannels over a time of three weeks. Recalcified plasma in contact with native PDMS showed complete coagulation after 1h, while no fibrin formation was detected in plasma incubated on heparin-coated PDMS within the same time. In conclusion, we see the heparin coating developed and evaluated in this study as a tool that greatly facilitates the use of PDMS in microfluidics dealing with plasma or blood samples.     

Bioactive heparin immobilized onto microfluidic channels in poly(dimethylsiloxane) results in hydrophilic surface properties

A new composition of heparin coating for microfluidic systems made out of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was developed and evaluated. The coating that consists of a conditioning polyamine layer followed by two heparin/glutaraldehyde layers, resulted in channel surfaces with sufficient wettability to obtain flow of human normal plasma by capillary force alone. Hydrophilic channel walls are a desirable characteristic in microfluidic devices, since alternative pumping mechanisms must otherwise be included into the system. The immobilized heparin showed high antithrombin-binding capacity and a low degree of blood–material interaction. Plasma in contact with heparin-coated PDMS formed no detectable fibrin in a spectrophotometric assay by which plasma in contact with non-treated PDMS showed complete coagulation. The quartz crystal microbalance technique with energy dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) was utilized to obtain detailed information regarding adsorption kinetics and structural properties of the different layers composing the heparin coating.     

Weatherability and wear resistance characteristics of plasma fluoropolymer coatings deposited on an elastomer substrate

The weathering characteristics of thin film formed from plasma polymerisation of perfluoro(methylcyclohexane) on an EPDM substrate under cold plasma process operated at 13.56 MHz was investigated using an ATLAS Ci 3000 Xenon weatherometer. The effects of weathering conditions on the chemical composition of the substrate and the coating were examined using photoacoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (PA-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The wear behaviour was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The change in the surface morphological behaviour of the coating indicates that the mending line of the patch-wise coating deposition or the fissure/crack line of the coating is particularly sensitive to the initiation of decomposition. FTIR and XPS spectroscopic investigations confirm that under humid and UV conditions, elimination of fluorine and introduction of new oxygen-containing functional groups play predominant role in the decomposition of the coating. Plausible mechanisms of degradation for the elastomer and the coating have been proposed. The coated substrate shows superior abrasion resistance characteristics with respect to the neat elastomer. The adhesion between the substrate and the plasma polymer coating appears to be excellent and remains strong after weathering.     

聚氯乙烯表面共价键合肝素及抗凝血性的研究

采用Ar等离子体引发聚乙二醇(PEG)在聚氯乙烯(PVC)表面固定化,进一步对固定PEG后的PVC进行肝素化处理,以改善PVC材料的抗凝血性能。探讨了PEG浓度对Ar等离子体固定化反应效果的影响。通过X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、衰减全反射红外光谱(ATR-FTIR)、扫描电镜(SEM)和接触角测定研究了固定PEG前后PVC的表面性能和表面形貌的变化。XPS分析证实肝素已成功地共价键合于PVC表面。采用体外凝血时间测定和血小板粘附实验对材料的抗凝血性能进行评价,结果表明,被修饰PVC材料的抗凝血性能显著提高。     

Macromolecule-macromolecule interaction in drug distribution. II. Effect of alpha-globulin on saturable uptake of fractionated [3H]heparin by rat parenchymal hepatocytes in primary culture.

The uptake of fractionated [3H]heparin was investigated in rat parenchymal hepatocytes in primary culture. The initial uptake of fractionated [3H]heparin was found to be saturable with the maximum uptake velocity (Vmax) of 10.1 +/- 1.46 pmol/min/mg protein and the Michaelis constant (Km) of 284 +/- 47.9 nM. The effect of alpha-globulin, the major protein binding to fractionated [3H]heparin, on the saturable uptake profile of fractionated [3H]heparin was also investigated. The uptake clearance was reduced, depending on the concentration of fractionated [3H]heparin, by the addition of 1 mg/ml alpha-globulin. We assumed that fractionated 3H-heparin bound to alpha-globulin was not available for uptake and that the reduction in the uptake clearance was solely attributable to the saturable binding of fractionated [3H]heparin to alpha-globulin. The uptake clearance versus concentration profile was analyzed to obtain the dissociation constant (Kd) of 31.8 nM and the capacity (n) of 0.047 for the binding of fractionated [3H]heparin to alpha-globulin. The saturable binding of fractionated [3H]heparin to alpha-globulin was supported by in vitro binding experiments using gel chromatography, in which bound fractionated [3H]heparin decreased with the concentration of fractionated [3H]heparin in the presence of alpha-globulin. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the saturable uptake of fractionated [3H]heparin by rat parenchymal hepatocytes and the saturable binding of fractionated [3H]heparin to alpha-globulin. The saturable uptake may suggest the involvement of a specific transport system such as receptor-mediated endocytosis.     

The influence of molecular weight of dextran forming a heparin-bonding polysaccharide layer on the chromatographic properties of sorbents for HPAC analysis of human antithrombin III

Summary Human antithrombin III (AT III) is a natural anticoagulant of blood. It is separated from blood preparations by bioselective sorption on sorbents containing heparin as a complementary ligand interacting with AT III. The paper deals with the behaviour of the chromatographic packings obtained by bonding heparin to cross-linked polysaccharide layers deposited on controlled-porosity glass. The properties of the prepared sorbents are discussed with respect to molecular weight of dextran used to form the polysaccharide layers. The results obtained show that when ligand (heparin) and AT III are used the molecular weight of cross-linked dextrans does not significantly influence the chromatographic properties of the affinity packings.     

The influence of molecular weight of dextran forming a heparin-bonding polysaccharide layer on the chromatographic properties of sorbents for HPAC analysis of human antithrombin III

Summary Human antithrombin III (AT III) is a natural anticoagulant of blood. It is separated from blood preparations by bioselective sorption on sorbents containing heparin as a complementary ligand interacting with AT III. The paper deals with the behaviour of the chromatographic packings obtained by bonding heparin to cross-linked polysaccharide layers deposited on controlled-porosity glass. The properties of the prepared sorbents are discussed with respect to molecular weight of dextran used to form the polysaccharide layers. The results obtained show that when ligand (heparin) and AT III are used the molecular weight of cross-linked dextrans does not significantly influence the chromatographic properties of the affinity packings.     

共价键合多层肝素薄膜修饰涂有硅橡胶的人工血管

报道一种采用医用硅橡胶涂层作软支撑共价键合多层肝素薄膜修饰人工血管等生物医学装置使其表面具有抗凝血性能的方法. 该项技术首先在人工血管的表面上涂上医用硅橡胶作为软支撑, 再在硅橡胶涂层的表面上涂上全氟磺酸(Nafion), 为接下来的层层静电组装提供活性基团. 然后将带正电荷的二苯胺重氮树脂(PA)和带负电荷的肝素分子(Hep)通过静电吸引作用交替沉积到全氟磺酸涂层的表面上. 紫外可见吸收光谱和傅立叶红外光谱数据表明, 在紫外光照射下, 重氮树脂的重氮基团与肝素的硫酸基团之间发生光化学反应, 生成硫酸酯, 使膜内层间离子键转变成共价键, 从而使肝素多层膜的稳定性大大提高. 研究表明经层层自组装和光化学反应后肝素分子呈现良好的抗凝血性能. 人工血管肝素化表面中的肝素分子以壁面结合的方式存在, 在人工血管表面固化肝素和抗凝血酶-III (AT-III)形成的络合物显示出较好的抗凝血性. 硅橡胶涂层使肝素分子与人工血管表面有一定距离, 有利于提高抗凝血性能. 在四个双层之内, 肝素对凝血酶失活的影响随着PA/Hep双层数目增加而增加, 说明了只有最外层的肝素才对凝血酶失活有直接影响. 该方法操作工艺简单, 重复性好, 可较广泛地适用于在多种生物医用装置和多孔组织工程支架材料的表面制备稳定的抗凝血涂层, 具有良好的应用前景.     

Heparin coating of poly(ethylene terephthalate) decreases hydrophobicity, monocyte/leukocyte interaction and tissue interaction

Woven poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is widely used in implantable medical devices. Upon implantation, fibrinogen interacts with the PET and changes conformation, such that the fibrinogen P2 epitope may become exposed. This allows inflammatory cells to interact with the material. In this study we have coated PET with heparin and show that this decreases PET hydrophobicity and the presence of the fibrinogen P2 epitope on the material surface. In addition, we show that heparin-induced reduction of PET hydrophobicity correlates with decreased exposure of the fibrinogen P2 epitope and reduced adhesion of monocytes. Reduction of PET hydrophobicity was furthermore associated with reduced PMN elastase production and decreased interaction between PET and embryonic chicken tissue. We conclude that the heparin coating-induced decrease in PET hydrophobicity is associated with decreased interaction between PET and inflammatory cells. Independent of this interaction, the hydrophobic nature of the heparin coating is related to tissue interaction as demonstrated by a reduction in adhesion, growth and spreading of tissue on PET. The combination of these properties makes heparin coating a candidate for improving biocompatibility of PET.     

Preparation and Application of Immobilized Fullerene C60‐Heparin for Anticoagulation of Blood

The interaction between fullerene C60 and heparin was studied using a fullerene C60‐coated piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor. The irreversible response of the piezoelectric quartz crystal was found which could be attributed to the quite strong adsorption of heparin onto the C60 molecule. Immobilized fullerene C60‐Heparin was prepared and successfully applied as a good inhibitor for blood clotting. Like solvated heparin, both wet and dry C60‐heparin solid all demonstrated excellent ability of anticoagulation of blood. The blood clotting time with C60‐heparin solid was found to be > 7 days, while only 17.9 min required for blood clotting time in the absence of C60‐heparin solid. Furthermore, the C60‐heparin coated artificial PVC blood vessels were prepared by coating fullerene C60 onto the surface of artificial PVC blood vessels, followed by the adsorption of water solvated heparin onto the fullerene C60 molecule to form C60‐heparin coating. The blood clotting time of blood in artificial PVC blood vessels with C60‐heparin coating was found to be > 30 days, while only ≤ 30 min. of blood clotting time without the C60‐Heparin coating was observed. The C60‐heparin coated artificial PVC blood vessels can be expected to be employed in human body for the anticoagulation of blood.