Evaluation of the Oral Absorption of Heparin Conjugated with Sodium Deoxycholate as a Facilitating Agent in GI Tract

The oral delivery of heparin is the preferred therapy in the treatment of patients with a high risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. New conjugates of heparin and sodium deoxycholate were synthesized in order to enhance the heparin absorption in the GI tract. After oral administration of DOC-heparin, the concentration in anti-FXa assay was increased with increasing amount of coupled DOC. The maximum concentration of DOC-heparin VIII conjugate was $3.3{\pm}0.5\;IU/mL$ at an oral dose of 10 mg/kg, which was 3-fold higher than the baseline level. Finally, DOC coupled to heparin greatly enhanced the absorption of heparin in the GI tract, and this enhancing effect was not induced by changing the tissue structure of the GI wall.