Above is the link to the Article. Is anyone using this therapy ? If not, why not ?
Abstract
We examined the inhibitory effects of three heparins on the growth of Babesia parasites. The multiplication of Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, B. equi, and B. caballi in in vitro cultures and that of B. microti in vivo were significantly inhibited in the presence of heparins, as determined by light microscopy.
Treatment with various concentrations of heparin showed complete clearance of the intracellular parasites. Interestingly, a higher percentage of abnormally multidividing B. bovis parasites was observed in the presence of low concentrations of heparin.
Furthermore, fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled heparin was preferably found on the surfaces of extracellular merozoites, as detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy.
These findings indicate that the heparin covers the surfaces of babesial merozoites and inhibits their subsequent invasion of erythrocytes.
Posted by lymetwister (Member # 19590) on :
In vivo effect of heparin against B. microti infection.
Having observed that heparin 1 had a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of the cultured parasites, we were encouraged to investigate its in vivo effect on B. microti infection in mice (Fig. (Fig.5A).5A).
When the infected mice showed about 1% parasitemia, they received subcutaneous injections of either 500, 250, 100, 20, or 4 U of heparin for 10 consecutive days.
In the treated group, the levels of parasitemia increased significantly more slowly, achieving peak parasitemias of 10% (in the presence of 500 U), 15% (250 U), 17% (100 U), and 34% (20 U) on day 8 after inoculation.
In contrast, in the control group, the peak parasitemia of more than 72% occurred on day 7 after inoculation. On the basis of these peak parasitemias, the IC50 for B. microti infection was calculated to be 16 U (81 μg) per mouse.
In several mice treated with 250 and 500 U of heparin, hematomas occurred around the puncture site following the injections, and among the 10 mice in each of the groups treated with 500 and 250 U of heparin, three and one mice died, respectively, following the second or third injection.
As for the other Babesia parasites, a greater percentage of free merozoites was seen in the heparin-treated groups, in which the peak proportion of free merozoites of 45% occurred on day 5 in the group treated with 100 U of heparin, while the highest value did not exceed 32% in the control group (data not shown).
Additionally, binding of heparin-FITC was also observed on the surfaces of free merozoites (Fig. (Fig.5B).5B). There were no significant differences in the percentages of the Maltese cross forms among the groups (data not shown).
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he present results suggest that the Babesia parasites do not have the PfEMP1-like molecule that confers a heparin-binding property to the surfaces of infected RBCs.
However, the surfaces of extracellular merozoites of equine, bovine, and rodent Babesia parasites express the molecule(s) with an affinity for heparin.
Furthermore, their covering with heparin was suggested to interfere with subsequent invasion of the RBCs. It might also be possible that the HS-like GAG on RBCs acts as a host receptor for merozoite attachment.
There has been no report of the presence of a molecule with an affinity for heparin on the surfaces of free merozoites of Plasmodium parasites.
Further investigation of the growth inhibition caused by heparin will be helpful in providing an understanding of the process of merozoite invasion. In particular, it will be very important to identify the molecule(s) with an affinity for heparin.
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You have to really read these studies...
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Damn! This study was done in Japan!
National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555,1
Posted by lymetwister (Member # 19590) on :
So much for f/u Research. I found the email of the Author in Japan. I used Google translate to write a short email last night (Guess I didn't need that) and this is the reply I got. Wonder why they stop with positive results.
"Prof. Ikuo Igarashi, D.V.M., Ph.D. OIE Reference Laboratories on equine piroplasmosis and bovine babesiosis National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, JAPAN Tel.: +81-155-49-5641 Fax: +81-155-49-5643 E-mail: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a Practitioner in the United States and I want to ask you about the article written back in 2004 titled �Growth-Inhibitory Effect of Heparin on Babesia Parasites. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC310193/
Can you tell me if Human Trials have ever been performed using Heparin therapy to eradicate Babesia ? Are there anymore studies or follow up on this research article ?
Thank you,
Gary Engelman USA
Thu 2/21/2013 10:49 PM 五十嵐 郁男 <[email protected]> Re: Growth-Inhibitory Effect of Heparin on Babesia Parasites 日時：バベシア原虫に対するヘパリンの増殖抑制 177;果
Dear Dr. Engelman
Thank you for your message.
Unfortunately, we have not been performed human trials using heparin therapy to eradicate Babesia.
Best regards,
Igarashi
Your Bold text about the mice that died doesn't mean much b/c Heparin doesn't kill humans. Perhaps the dose was too high for the mice. F/U research could use doses based on BMI and perhaps this wouldn't occur.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Reading the link/thread from above - nefferdun had similar symptoms to the mice in the above study. The variations of babesia in different animals do make a difference.
Maybe try some of the alternatives like lumborkinase, etc...? I read a study that noni was helpful, too.