American Society of Hirudotherapy

Method to detect contaminants in heparin using radical depolymerization and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Research article published in Analytical chemistry (2013)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Preclinical (animal)Drug DevelopmentSafety & Infection ControlLi G et al. · Analytical chemistry, 2013

Abstract

Heparin is a critically important anticoagulant drug that was contaminated with a persulfonated polysaccharide in 2008, resulting in a number of severe adverse reactions, some leading to death. Controversy remains as to the precise composition of the 2008 contaminant, and new information suggests that heparin may now be subject to adulteration with a new, difficult to detect, contaminant, N-sulfo oversulfated chondroitin sulfate. This study synthesizes this new potential contaminant and describes the use of radical depolymerization followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect N-sulfo oversulfated chondroitin sulfate and to confirm the structure of the 2008 contaminant as oversulfated chondroitin sulfate and not oversulfated heparan sulfate.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Indexed MeSH termsAnimalsChondroitin SulfatesChromatography, LiquidDrug ContaminationHeparinMass SpectrometryPolymerizationSwine

Summary

Heparin is a critically important anticoagulant drug that was contaminated with a persulfonated polysaccharide in 2008, resulting in a number of severe adverse reactions, some leading to death.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study describes an analytical method using radical depolymerization and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect newly discovered potential contaminants, such as N-sulfo oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, within the anticoagulant drug heparin. The research is strictly focused on pharmaceutical quality control, safeguarding public health by confirming the precise composition of contaminated samples and identifying difficult-to-detect impurities in conventional mammalian-derived drugs. This work does not involve leeches, hirudotherapy, or the leech secretome in any capacity. Thus, its relevance to the American Society of Hirudotherapy is entirely absent, serving only as an indirect reference to the analytical surveillance of pharmaceutical anticoagulants.

Citation

Method to detect contaminants in heparin using radical depolymerization and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Li G et al. · Analytical chemistry, 2013

DOI

Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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