Exploiting the cross-metathesis reaction in the synthesis of pseudo-oligosaccharides.

An approach to the synthesis of pseudo-oligosaccharides based on the cross-metathesis reaction between distinct sugar-olefins, followed by intramolecular cyclization of the obtained heterodimer, is presented. In particular, the relative efficiency of two alternative approaches, the straightforward cross-metathesis reaction and the two-step procedure (self-metathesis followed by cross-metathesis), was explored and compared for diverse sugar-olefin substrates. Some representative examples of intramolecular cyclization using iodine as an electrophilic promoter, are also reported.

Antithrombin-binding octasaccharides and role of extensions of the active pentasaccharide sequence in the specificity and strength of interaction. Evidence for very high affinity induced by an unusual glucuronic acid residue.

The antithrombotic activity of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) is largely associated with the antithrombin (AT)-binding pentasaccharide sequence AGA(*)IA (GlcN(NAc/NS,6S)-GlcA-GlcN(NS,3,6S)-IdoUA(2S)-GlcN(NS,6S)). The location of the AGA(*)IA sequences along the LMWH chains is also expected to influence binding to AT. This study was aimed at investigating the role of the structure and molecular conformation of different disaccharide extensions on both sides of the AGA(*)IA sequence in modulating the affinity for AT.

Oversulfated chondroitin sulfate is a contaminant in heparin associated with adverse clinical events.

Recently, certain lots of heparin have been associated with an acute, rapid onset of serious side effects indicative of an allergic-type reaction. To identify potential causes for this sudden rise in side effects, we examined lots of heparin that correlated with adverse events using orthogonal high-resolution analytical techniques. Through detailed structural analysis, the contaminant was found to contain a disaccharide repeat unit of glucuronic acid linked beta1-->3 to a beta-N-acetylgalactosamine.

Low molecular weight heparins: structural differentiation by bidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Individual low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) exhibit distinct pharmacological and biochemical profiles because of manufacturing differences. Correlation of biological properties with particular structural motifs is a major challenge in the design of new LMWHs as well as in the development of generic versions of proprietary LMWHs. Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy permits identification and quantification of structural peculiarities of LMWH preparations.

Structural modification induced in heparin by a Fenton-type depolymerization process.

A low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) obtained by a depolymerization process induced by a Fenton-type reagent was characterized in depth by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The depolymerization involves the cleavage of glycosidic bonds, leading to natural terminal reducing end residues, mainly represented by N-sulfated glucosamine (A (NS)). Natural uronic acids, especially the 2- O-sulfate iduronic acid (I (2S)), are also present as reducing residues.