What is Dextran CAS#9004-54-0 and its Clones?

Dextran Overview
Dextran is a homopolysaccharide composed of glucose units. The chain length of dextran determines its medicinal applications: long-chain dextran, with molecular weights ranging from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand, is commonly used as a blood plasma expander, while short-chain dextran can be combined with ferric hydroxide to form iron dextran.

What is Dextran?
Dextran is a high-molecular-weight glucose polymer synthesized from sucrose under the catalytic action of dextran sucrase (dextransucrase, EC 2.4.1.5) produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Its structure is composed predominantly (≈95%) of α-1,6 glycosidic linkages, with minor branching from other glycosidic bonds. Due to its favorable properties such as safety and non-toxicity, dextran is widely applied in medicine, food, and industry.

In medicine, dextran serves as a drug carrier and a commonly used gel chromatography medium. Clinically, three main grades are used: Dextran 70, Dextran 40, and Dextran 20, primarily as plasma substitutes in cases of hemorrhagic shock, traumatic shock, and burn shock. Dextran with a molecular weight of 6–8 kDa is often processed into iron dextran for treating severe anemia, while 5 kDa dextran is commonly sulfated for thrombus treatment. More recently, low-molecular-weight isomaltose derived from dextran has shown potential as a prebiotic.

In the food industry, dextran is valued as a natural polysaccharide ingredient, functioning as a humectant, stabilizer, extender, and thickener. Industrially, it is also employed as an additive in oil well drilling muds.

Dextran 40 Overview
Dextran 40 is a high-molecular-weight glucose polymer that functions by increasing plasma colloid osmotic pressure, drawing water from the extravascular space, and expanding blood volume. Due to its relatively small molecular weight and rapid excretion, the expansion effect is short-lived. However, the drug can coat the surface of red blood cells, increasing their effective volume. The negative charge on this surface reduces red blood cell aggregation and promotes the dispersion of already clumped cells, thereby lowering blood viscosity and enhancing microcirculation. In addition, Dextran 40 can coat platelets and cover damaged vascular endothelium, thereby inhibiting platelet adhesion and aggregation, effectively preventing thrombus formation. It also exhibits osmotic diuretic properties.

Clinical Applications of Dextran 40
Dextran 40 is primarily used in the treatment of various forms of shock. It demonstrates superior efficacy in hemorrhagic shock compared to Dextran 70, as it not only expands blood volume but also improves microcirculation and tissue perfusion. It is also indicated for trauma, burns, and toxic shock, and is useful in the early prevention of disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by shock. Beyond shock management, Dextran 40 is applied in thrombotic conditions such as cerebral thrombosis, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, thromboangiitis obliterans, retinal arterial and venous thrombosis, and ischemic skin ulcers. Furthermore, in limb replantation and vascular surgery, it helps prevent postoperative thrombosis, enhances blood circulation, and improves the success rate of replantation procedures.