Endogenous heparin activity deficiency: the 'Missing Link' in atherogenesis?

This paper reviews published studies since 1995 dealing with many atherogenic mechanisms where exogenous heparin was beneficial. In these areas endogenous heparin deficiency is likely to be harmful. Mechanisms included inflammatory factors, lower endogenous plasma heparin levels, lipoprotein lipase, chemokines, APOE e4, lipoprotein(a), among others. Demonstrated reduction of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) and of endogenous plasma heparin was reviewed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.