A NEW MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDE FROM STICHPUS JAPONICUS(SEA CUCUMBER) AND ITS ANTICOAGULANT PRORETIES
A new mucopolysaccharide(FGAG) has been isolated from the cell wall of Stichopus japonicua. The molecular weight of FGAG is about 50,000. The component sugar of the FGAG are identified as galactosamine, glucuronic acid, fucose and sulfate with the molar ratioof 1:0.94:0.84:3.60,respectively. The anticoagulant effects of FGAG were studied. At low concentration(lμg/ml), FGAG completely inhibited the rabbit plateletaggregation induced by thrombin and prolonged thrombin time of not only human plasma but purified fibrinogen solution to a similar extent, suggesting that action of FGAG is not depend on plasma component(antithrombin III and/or Heparin c.ofactor II).After intravenous injection into rabbits(lmg/kg),significant prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT) was observed. Although the in vivo antithrombin activity of the FGAG was weaker than that of heparin.it lasted longer than that of heparin and was not inhibited by platelet factor 4.These results suggested that FGAG is a new and unique mucopolysaccharide with antithrombin activity and may come into use for the treatment ofDiseminated Intravascular Coagulation.