Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

XYLAN POLYSULFATE, SODIUM

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Treatment of osteoarthritis; oral treatment of interstitial cystitis. Anticoagulant,
especially during the immediate post- operative period; orphan drug indication for
interstitial fibrosis. For treatment of primary HIV infection Kaposi' s sarcoma (virion
receptor binding antagonist). Studies show that pentosan possesses anti- retroviral
activity in vitro. Pentosan inhibits the activities of protein tyrosine kinases from
lymphocytes in lymphocyte and rat lung in a concentration- dependent manner. Pentosan also
is reported to possess anti- cancer activity.

SYNONYMS

"(C5-H6-Na2-O10-S2)n n=6-12", "4-O-methyl glucuronoxylan sulfate, sodium salt", "4-O-
methyl glucuronoxylan sulfate, sodium salt", "beta-D-xylan, (1->4), 2, 3-bis(hydrogen
sulfate), sodium salt", "beta-D-xylan, (1->4), 2, 3-bis(hydrogen sulfate), sodium
salt", "sodium pentosan polysulfate", "pentosan polysulfate sodium", "xylan hydrogen
sulfate sodium", "sodium xylan sulfate", NaPPS, Cartrophen, CB-8061, Elmiron, Fibrase,
Fibrezym, Hemoclar, PZ-68, "Hoe-Bay 946", SP-64, Thrombocid, "polysaccharides from Larix
decidua, sodium sulfated", "anticoagulant/ interstitial fibrosis treatment/ anti-
inflammatory/ anti-HIV", "osteoarthritis treatment", "serine-threonine protein kinase
inhibitor"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Many cases of intentional overdose of long-acting anticoagulants, in humans, have been described. These cases are characterised by a severe coagulopathy (that may last weeks or months, often accompanied by consequential blood loss. Accidental ingestions are generally distinguished, clinically, from intentional ingestions because they produce fewer coagulation abnormalities or mortalities.  The most frequent symptoms arising from ingestion of anticoagulants include cutaneous bleeding, blood in the urine (haematuria), passage of dark-coloured, tar-like stools due to the presence of blood altered by the intestinal juices (melena) or passage of bloody stools (haematochezia), haematomas including bruises, uterine bleeding, nose-bleed (epistaxis) and gingival bleeding.  Polysaccharides are not substantially absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but may produce a laxative effect. Larger doses may produce intestinal obstruction or stomach concretions.Large quantities of the substituted polysaccharide, methylcellulose (as with other bulk laxatives), may temporarily increase flatulence. Oesophageal obstruction, by swelling, may occur if the material is swallowed dry.Doses of 3-9 gm hydroxypropylcellulose, fed to human subjects, at least one week apart, were eliminated within 96 hours. Animals fed on diets containing 3% or less, experienced no adverse effects. Higher levels produced malnutrition due to excessive bulk but caused no organic damage. In one dog, an oral dose of hydroxypropylcellulose produced diarrhoea and blood cell depression.Ingestion of hetastarch (hydroxyethyl amylopectin) has reportedly produced fever, chills, urticaria and salivary gland enlargement. Several of these effects may be due to contamination by other naturally occurring macromolecules extracted from the source material. Large volumes of ingested hetastarch may interfere with coagulation mechanisms and increase the risk of haemorrhage. Anaphylaxis has occurred.Infusions of dextrans may occasionally produce allergic reactions such as urticaria,hypotension and bronchospasm. Severe anaphylactic reactions may occasionally occurand death may result from cardiac and respiratory arrest. Nausea, vomiting, fever, joint pains, and flushing may also occur. Similarly, allergic reactions, sometimes severe (but rare) have been reported following ingestion or inhalation of tragacanth gums.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by inhalation of generated dust and skin contact.  Studies indicate that diets containing large amounts of non-absorbable polysaccharides, such as cellulose, might decrease absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus.  The material may inhibit protein kinase. This family of kinases enzymatically catalyses the phosphorylation of protein . Because phosphorylation triggers a signaling cascade which in turn produces cell growth, inhibition effectively retards the process. There are several different inhibitors which act in this manner but most common are genistein (a naturally occurring steroid-like substance from soybeans), lavendustin (a microbial metabolite) and the tyrphostins (synthetic analogues).  Two families of protein kinase have been identified;  · serine-threonine kinases (also known as PKC) require calcium ion for their activation. The activated PKC phosphorylates proteins of the cellular signal cascade, which eventually induce expression of growth regulatory genes.  · tyrosine kinases which similarly regulate signal transmission to growth regulatory genes  Inhibition may suppress cell or tissue growth or development.