The anti-adherence effect of heparin: a visual analysis.

The various intrinsic bladder mucosal defenses against bacterial invasion, including the anti-adherence action of the surface mucopolysaccharide layer, have been documented in recent years. Studies have suggested Heparin, a mucopolysaccharide, may have anti-adherence action. We used scanning electron microscopy to visually evaluate the effects of intravesical HCl, Heparin and Protamine on the interaction between E. coli and rat bladders. Our findings concurred with previous statistical analyses using radio-isotope labelled bacteria, suggesting a beneficial anti-adherence effect of Heparin which can be negated by Protamine. We also noted a white coating on the bacteria in bladders treated with Heparin. We suggest this may represent minute amounts of Heparin coating the bacteria, thus decreasing bacterial adherence to bladder mucosa. Analogues of Heparin, without anti-coagulant properties, may be useful in prophylaxis against urinary tract infections.