Effects on Blood Clotting by Low Molecular Weight Heparin

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is an anticoagulant used clinically to prevent clotting. It is derived from unfractionated heparin (UF) by a variety of treatments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect(s) of this anticoagulant on blood clotting. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an oxidizer generated by blood cells that acts as the first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. In order to conduct this study, we will evaluate the effects of these agents alone or in combination on the clotting time of blood. The three treated aliquots prepared to analyze the effects of these reagents on blood clotting are as followed: H2O2, LMWH, and both of them combined in blood. The results show that LMWH significantly prolonged the clotting time, where as H2O2had an insignificant effect.