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Glite Dictionary
protamine

protamine

1 9.9
A protein from fish sperm used in medicine to stop the effect of a blood-thinning drug
  • noun
  • /ˈproʊtəˌmiːn/
  • Specialized
: protamina
  • He received protamine sulfate to counteract the anticoagulation caused by heparin.

Examples

  • The doctor administered protamine to reverse the effects of heparin after surgery.

  • Protamine is a protein derived from fish sperm that is used to neutralize heparin in patients.

  • Protamine was administered and the catheters were removed following confirmation of heparin reversal.

    Academic text (2015)

Surface Forms

protamine singular
protamines plural

Etymology

Protamine comes from parts that mean 'first' (proto-) and a chemistry ending for 'nitrogen' compounds (-amine). A helpful way to remember it is as a simple, nitrogen-rich protein (often found in fish sperm) that doctors use to stop the blood-thinning effects of heparin.