Madison Area Lyme Support Group

Lyme disease (LD) is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl). After transmission to humans by ticks, Bbsl spreads to multiple organs, leading to arthritis, carditis, and neuroborreliosis. No effective prophylaxis against human LD prior to tick exposure is currently available. Thus, a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against LD is needed. The establishment of LD bacteria at diverse sites is dictated partly by the binding of Bbsl to proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in tissues. The drug heparin is structurally similar to these GAGs and inhibits Bbsl attachment to PGs, GAGs, cells, and tissues, suggesting its potential to prevent LD. However, the anticoagulant activity of heparin often results in hemorrhage, hampering the development of this compound as LD PrEP.

We have previously synthesized a non-anticoagulant version of heparin (NACH), which was verified for safety in mice and humans. Here, we showed that NACH blocks Bbsl attachment to PGs, GAGs, and mammalian cells. We also found that

• treating mice with NACH prior to the exposure of ticks carrying Bbslfollowed by continuous administration of this compound prevents tissue colonization by Bbsl.
• Furthermore, NACH-treated mice develop greater levels of IgG and IgM against Bbsl  at early stages of infection, suggesting that the upregulation of antibody immune responses may be one of the mechanisms for NACH-mediated LD prevention.

This is one of the first studies examining the ability of a heparin-based compound to prevent LD prior to tick exposure. The information presented might also be extended to prevent other infectious diseases agents.

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**Comment**

I found this study fascinating on multiple levels and have had my thoughts on heparin for years due to it helping my husband’s Lyme/MSIDS case substantially.

For whatever reason he developed hyper coagulation (thick blood) after he became infected with tick-borne illness.  I’ve found that many other patients have experienced this as well.  Heparin is used as an anti-coagulant and is often the drug of choice for such patients.  My husband immediately improved on it due hyper coagulation’s ability to make you sluggish and tired as blood flow and oxygen delivery are impeded.  On top of that, thick blood impedes treatment, nutrients from food, and supplements from being distributed and utilized.  It’s a big deal.

The reason we even suspected hyper coagulation in the first place was due to visually seeing it clog blood catheters when he received blood ozone therapy and gave blood.  It looked like bloody snot and caused his blood to be a deep burgundy instead of a bright red.

After years of being on heparin and subsequently needing iron sucrose infusions due to low ferritin, he decided to try going off of it and taking systemic enzymes and fish oil instead.  He’s had no problem going off the heparin.  Read about enzymes here: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/11/18/link-between-inflammation-mental-sluggishness-shown-how-msm-systemic-enzymes-and-melatonin-can-help/  Please read comment section as I explain and have other links to enzymes and other substances which directly help inflammation. Enzymes are known to:

• mop up debris within the blood
• prevent and dissolve blood clots by dissolving fibrin
• break down and remove circulating immune complexes
• kill pathogens
• control inflammation
• improve alkalinity
• help with detoxification

FYI: fish oil makes the blood more slippery:  https://heartmdinstitute.com/heart-health/is-it-safe-to-mix-fish-oil-and-blood-thinners/

Excerpt & warning when used with other blood thinners and anti-coagulants:

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help make blood platelets less likely to clot; antiplatelet blood thinners do the same thing. Too much of both can increase the risk for excessive bleeding from minor, everyday cuts or from the gastrointestinal side effects of drugs like aspirin or NSAIDs, as well as bruising or injuries that may occur as the result of a fall. Blood that is too thin also raises the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, especially in patients over age 85.

Modest amounts of fish oil, say 1–2 grams daily, generally can be tolerated even if you are taking prescription blood thinners. However, doing this is not without some risk—so it’s absolutely essential that you be up front with your doctor about the fish oil products you’re taking and how much, to avoid unsafe drug interactions. I cannot emphasize this enough. You must work collaboratively with your physician and regularly monitor the clotting agents in your blood.