In particular, it has been shown that protamine sulfate is capable of transforming and degrading factor Xa to inactive moieties, transforming Xa-AT complexes, promoting the digestive degradation of primary Xa-AT complexes to tertiary complexes, and ultimately promotes a reduction in total complex formulation via the hydrolysis of factor Xa moieties. Īdditionally, studies have also determined that protamine sulfate elicits effects on the clotting factors human factor Xa and human antithrombin (AT). Related studies have also shown that protamine sulfate may be able to decrease intestinal fat absorption and might possess certain antibacterial effects. Furthermore, some animal studies have suggested that the long-term oral administration of protamine sulfate may favourably decrease serum lipid concentrations, presumably by enhancing the actions of the carnitine palmitoyltransferase-2 and acyl-CoA oxidase enzymes. When not complexed with heparin, protamine sulfate by itself demonstrates a weak anticoagulant effect and also evidently prolongs the euglycaemic phase of the human body when used as an excipient in certain injectable insulin formulations. It combines with strongly acidic heparin to form a stable complex, neutralising the anticoagulant activity of both drugs. Protamine sulfate is prepared from the sperm or mature testes of salmon or related species and is composed of arginine, proline, serine and valine.

Antidote to heparin