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Dextran is a complex, branched glucan (polysaccharide made of many glucose molecules) composed of chains of varying lengths (from 10 to 150 kilodaltons). It is used medicinally as an antithrombotic (anti-platelet), to reduce blood viscosity, and as a volume expander in anemia.
The straight chain consists of α-1,6 glycosidic linkages between glucose molecules, while branches begin from α-1,3 linkages. (For information on the numbering of carbon atoms in glucose, see the glucose article.) Dextran is synthesized from sucrose by certain lactic-acid bacteria, the best-known being Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Streptococcus mutans. Dental plaque is rich in dextrans. Dextran is also formed by the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus brevis to create the crystals of tibicos, or water kefir fermented beverage which supposedly has some health benefits.
Uses
Microsurgery uses
These agents are used commonly by microsurgeons to decrease vascular
thrombosis. The antithrombotic effect of dextran is mediated through its binding of
erythrocytes,
platelets, and vascular
endothelium, increasing their
electronegativity and thus reducing
erythrocyte aggregation and
platelet adhesiveness. Dextrans also reduce factor VIII-Ag
Von Willebrand factor, thereby decreasing platelet function. Clots formed after administration of dextrans are more easily lysed due to an altered thrombus structure (more evenly distributed platelets with coarser
fibrin). By inhibiting α-2 antiplasmin, dextran serves as a
plasminogen activator and therefore possesses
thrombolytic features.
Outside from these features, larger dextrans, which do not pass out of the vessels, are potent osmotic agents, and thus have been used urgently to treat hypovolemia. The hemodilution caused by volume expansion with dextran use improves blood flow, thus further improving patency of microanastomoses and reducing thrombosis. Still, no difference has been detected in antithrombotic effectiveness in comparison of intraarterial and intravenous administration of dextran.
Dextrans are available in multiple molecular weights ranging from 10,000 Da to 150,000 Da. The larger dextrans are excreted poorly from the kidney and therefore remain in the blood for as long as weeks until they are metabolized. Subsequently, they have prolonged antithrombotic and
colloidal effects. In this family, dextran-40 (MW: 40,000 Da), has been the most popular member for
anticoagulation therapy. Close to 70% of dextran-40 is excreted in urine within the first 24 hours after intravenous infusion while the remaining 30% will be retained for several more days.
Other medical uses
It is used in some eye drops as a lubricant, and in certain intravenous fluids to solubilise other factors, e.g. iron (=iron dextran).
Intravenous solutions with dextran function both as volume expanders and means of parenteral nutrition. Such a solution provides an osmotically neutral fluid that once in the body is digested by cells into glucose and free water. It is occasionally used to replace lost blood in emergency situations, when replacement blood is not available, but must be used with caution as it does not provide necessary electrolytes and can cause hyponatremia or other electrolyte disturbances.
It also increases blood sugar levels.
Laboratory uses
Dextran is used in the osmotic stress technique for applying osmotic pressure to biological molecules.
It is also used in some size-exclusion chromatography matrices; an example is Sephadex.
Dextran has also been used in bead form to aid in bioreactor applications.
Dextran has been used in immobilization in biosensors.
Dextran preferentially binds to early endosomes; fluorescently-labelled dextran can be used to visualize these endosomes under a fluorescent microscope.
Dextran can be used as a stabilising coating to protect metal nanoparticles from oxidation and improve biocompatibility.
Dextran coupled with a fluorescent molecule(such as FITC) can be used to create concentration gradients of diffusible molecules for imaging and allow subsequent characterization of gradient slope.
Dextran is used to make microcarriers for industrial cell culture
Side effects
Although there are relatively few side-effects associated with dextran use, these side-effects can be very serious. These include
anaphylaxis, volume overload,
pulmonary edema,
cerebral edema, or platelet dysfunction. An uncommon but significant complication of dextran osmotic effect is
acute renal failure. The pathogenesis of this renal failure is the subject of many debates with direct toxic effect on tubules and
glomerulus versus intraluminal hyperviscosity being some of the proposed mechanisms. Patients with history of
diabetes mellitus,
renal insufficiency, or vascular disorders are most at risk. Brooks and others recommend the avoidance of dextran therapy in patients with
chronic renal insufficiency and CrCl<40 cc per minute.
References
External links
Resource on dextran properties and structure of dextran polymers
Category:Biotechnology products
Category:Polysaccharides
Category:Intravenous fluids
