## 3 Functions of Dextran and Its Derivatives
### Dextran Preparations Used as a Blood Plasma Substitute  
Dextrans are used as blood volume expanders, as they have an inhibitory effect on coagulation factors and thrombocyte aggregation. Clinical grade dextrans of 40, 60, and 70 kDa molecular weights in 6 or 10% aqueous solutions are available for use as substitutes for blood plasma. These function by restoring blood plasma lost through severe bleeding. Dextran can replace blood proteins like albumin to present colloid osmotic pressure so that the fluid is pulled into the plasma from the interstitial space. Dextran-40 can improve the flow of blood by lowering its viscosity and also inhibiting the accumulation of erythrocytes. An early report available on the use of dextran for the prevention of postoperative thromboembolism complications is available [17]. [PERSON] and [PERSON] reported on the clinical pharmaco-kinetic importance and issues in the use of plasma expanders. An intravenous solution of dextran-60 is generally used as the expander of blood volume, and the parenteral nutrition provides an osmotically neutral fluid after it is digested into glucose and water [18]. Clinical forms, dextran-40 and dextran-70, are related to anaphylaxis or reactions, which are initiated by dextran-reactive immunoglobulin G antibodies. A low-MW dextran-1 of 1K Da molecular weight is a fraction of a dextran polysaccharide. If it is used for infusion immediately before the clinical dextrans, it can reduce the incidence of severe anaphylaxis to reactions. Hence, to moderate the probability of anaphylaxis \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{p{113.8 pt} p{113.8 pt} p{113.8 pt} p{113.8 pt}} \hline \hline
**Derivatives of Dextran** & **Product Known as** & **Applications** & **Functions** \\ \hline Dextran ester: Acyl groups substitution with different carbon numbers from acetate to laurate & Dextran valerate, Dextran hexanoate & Transparent coating for various materials, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films, wood, glass, and aluminum & Hot-melt-type adhesives \\ \hline Diethyl-aminoethyl-dextran: Polycationic derivative of dextran & DEAE & Nanocarrier of chemotherapeutic drugs & In pharmaceutical functions \\ \hline Fluorescent dextran derivatives & Derivatives labeled with FITC, TRITC, ATTO-dyes & Mainly used for studies of permeability and microcirculation in cells and tissues & For studies of drug delivery, as molecular size markers. \\ \hline Dextran methacrylate: & & & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{1. Propionyl dextran mixture ester Isobutyryl dextran mixture ester} & 1. & PDME & Contact lenses & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{2. Doxorubicin-BSA-dextran pharmaceutical chemicals} & 1. & PDME & \\ \cline{2-2}  & 2. & IDME & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{Amphiphilic dextran-OXorubicin Prodrug micelles} & 1. & PDME & \\ \cline{2-2}  & 2. & IDME & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{Phenyl-dextran and coatings} & & & \\ \cline{2-2}  & & & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{Meltable dextran esters} & & Significant melting behavior and biocompatibility & Good functional coating material \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{Dextran spray-dried powders} & & Required for the encapsulation of drugs and food additives & Used in the pharmaceutical and food industry \\ \hline \multirow{6}{*}{* Source of information References [11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16]; [[https://www.labonline.com.au/content/consumables/product/tdb-labs-dextran-and-dextran-derivatives-483479682](https://www.labonline.com.au/content/consumables/product/tdb-labs-dextran-and-dextran-derivatives-483479682)]([https://www.labonline.com.au/content/consumables/product/tdb-labs-dextran-and-dextran-derivatives-483479682](https://www.labonline.com.au/content/consumables/product/tdb-labs-dextran-and-dextran-derivatives-483479682)) (accessed on 14 September 2023).} \\  & & & \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{2-2}  & & & \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{2-2}  & & & \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{2-2}  & & & \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: \(Cont.\)reactions, a regular administration of dextran-1 was suggested before a clinical dextran of higher MW was used for the infusion [19].