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Biomedical subjects

B Bottasso

Publications and source records attributed to B Bottasso.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Markers of procoagulant imbalance in patients with localized melanomas and autoimmune disorders.

Hypercoagulability can be defined as a condition of procoagulant imbalance due to heightened enzymatic activation of coagulation zymogens, but with no laboratory evidence of fibrin deposition nor clinical signs of thrombosis. The imbalance can be detected by measuring the plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) complexes. The aims of this study were to establish the frequency of existence and biochemical pattern of hypercoagulability in patients with cancer and autoimmune disorders, clinical conditions associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, and to ascertain the most sensitive method for its diagnosis. In approximately one-fourth of the patients hypercoagulability was identified by finding high levels of FPA F1 + 2 or TAT unaccompanied by signs of fibrin deposition (expressed by normal levels of D-dimer). In a smaller proportion of patients (approximately 10%), the concomitant presence of high levels of D-dimer indicated that the activation of the coagulation cascade had gone beyond the stage of heightened enzymatic activity to the point of cross-linked fibrin deposition. Of the markers used to detect hypercoagulability. FPA seems to be the most sensitive, being significantly increased in all clinical conditions studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Markers of procoagulant imbalance in patients with inherited thrombophilic syndromes.

In 107 asymptomatic and untreated patients with inherited syndromes associated with thrombophilia (antithrombin III, protein C and protein S deficiencies), we compared in parallel two plasma peptides which reflect activation of the common coagulation pathway: the prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) and fibrinopeptide A (FPA). Both F1 + 2 and FPA were measured with simple, commercially available ELISA methods. High levels of F1 + 2 or FPA were found in about one fourth of the patients as a whole. When patients were divided according to the type of inherited thrombophilic syndrome, it appeared that F1 + 2 was more frequently elevated in protein C and protein S deficiencies than in antithrombin deficiency; and that, in general, it was no more frequently elevated than FPA. Although our data confirm the existence of a procoagulant imbalance in inherited thrombophilic syndromes due to defects of natural anticoagulant proteins, they do not confirm that such imbalance can be more frequently diagnosed by measuring F1 + 2 levels, particularly in patients with antithrombin deficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Tissue-type plasminogen activator and von Willebrand factor plasma levels as markers of endothelial involvement in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.

In order to investigate the significance of high circulating levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), recently observed in patients with vascular diseases, we compared the plasma levels of vWF with those of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and the platelet content of serotonin (5-HT) in 40 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), primary or associated to systemic sclerosis (SSc), and in 14 patients with chronic peripheral obstructive disease due to arteriosclerosis (PAOD). VWF and t-PA plasma levels were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in SSc (vWF: 158.2, range 116.3-305.0%; t-PA: 10.2, range 6.4-17.8 ng/ml). By contrast, normal plasma levels of both vWF (85.3, range 53.5-157.0%) and t-PA (6.5, range 2.7-9.3 ng/ml) were observed in primary RP. VWF and t-PA were normal in PAOD patients, compared with age-matched healthy controls (vWF: 143.0, range 57.0-204.0%; t-PA: 7.5, range 3.4-13.6, ng/ml). The platelet content of 5-HT was within the normal range (37.3-99.7 ng/10(8) platelets) in RP patients, but significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in PAOD patients (39.0, range 14.7-91.4). Our data suggest that the different pattern of circulating vWF and t-PA between SSc and arteriosclerotic patients may be related to a different endothelial cell involvement. Whether this increase may reflect active attempts of regeneration and repair, indicating endothelial cell viability rather than damage is a matter of speculation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effects of subcutaneously administered dermatan sulfate (MF 701) on the coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters of healthy volunteers.

Eight healthy volunteers were given single subcutaneous doses of dermatan sulfate (DS, 100, 200 and 400 mg), heparin (5,000 IU) and placebo in random order. Wash-out between treatments was greater than or equal to 10 days. Serial blood samples were taken before and up to 24 hours after treatment to measure coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters. Thrombin generation was significantly inhibited by DS and heparin as compared to placebo. The effect of DS was dose-dependent. Peak inhibition after 200 mg DS was comparable to that of 5,000 IU heparin, but lasted longer. A small, bordeline significant prolongation of APTT was observed after 400 mg DS and heparin. The changes in PAI and fibrinolytic activities were those of the circadian variation. No changes were seen in the other parameters tested. In conclusion, single s.c. doses of DS (200, or 400 mg) inhibit ex vivo thrombin generation equally or more than 5,000 IU heparin and for a longer time. The effect of both treatments on fibrinolysis is negligible.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

L-arginine therapy in Raynaud's phenomenon?

Since L-Arginine is the substrate for nitric oxide synthesis by vascular endothelial cells the effects of L-arginine treatment on the digital vascular response to local stimuli were investigated in patients with primary or secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. After therapy, patients with Raynaud's phenomenon secondary to systemic sclerosis showed: (1) higher digital vasodilation after local warming, (2) cold-induced digital vasodilation, and (3) increase of plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Additional contribution of high amplification electrocardiography in the follow-up of children with muscular dystrophy].

Fifteen children and adolescents with muscular dystrophy underwent investigation by Doppler echocardiography and high amplification electrocardiography to evaluate the quality of left ventricular function. High amplification ECG showed minor intra-atrial conduction defects in 3 cases and abnormal late micro potentials without arrhythmogenic late potentials in 3 other cases. Significant abnormalities were observed in 40% of children examined. Doppler echocardiography showed relative conservation of systolic left ventricular function but a decrease in indices of contractility was observed in 46% of cases, especially in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Abnormalities of left ventricular distensibility were observed earlier and were more common (53% of cases). A significant decrease in cardiac output was found in 50% of patients, especially among the older and more severely affected children irrespective of the type of muscular dystrophy. These two investigations provide complementary information for the evaluation of left ventricular function of children with muscular dystrophy and they are proposed routinely for the follow-up of these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Thrombin generation is not increased in the blood of hemophilia B patients after the infusion of a purified factor IX concentrate.

Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC), licensed for the treatment of hemophilia B, are known to carry a significant risk of thromboembolic complications. Although the reasons for thrombogenicity are not completely understood, several manufacturers have developed purified factor IX concentrates that contain negligible amounts of the other vitamin K-dependent factors. To evaluate whether or not the infusion of such a factor IX concentrate is followed by lesser activation of the hemostatic system than by the infusion of a PCC, we performed a series of coagulation assays on 11 hemophilia B patients before and after the administration of these two types of concentrate using a randomized cross-over design. The levels of prothrombin fragment F1 + 2, a sensitive measure of the in vivo cleavage of prothrombin by factor Xa, was significantly increased in plasma after PCC, but not after factor IX concentrate. Plasma fibrinopeptide A, a sensitive index of the enzymatic activity of thrombin on fibrinogen, also increased significantly after PCC but not after factor IX concentrate. The fragment B beta 15-42, a sensitive index of the enzymatic action of plasmin on fibrin II, did not change after either concentrate. There were also no differences in less sensitive coagulation measurements, such as plasma fibrinogen, antithrombin III, and fibrin monomers, nor in indices of platelet activation, such as beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4. These findings show that the infusion of a purified factor IX concentrate can result in substantially less activation of the coagulation cascade than may be seen with PCC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Changes in fibrinolysis in patients with localized tumors.

An array of fibrinolysis tests was applied to the plasmas of 125 untreated patients with breast carcinoma and malignant melanoma, localized or spread to regional lymph nodes with no detectable distant metastases, to see whether or not there may be changes related to the type or to the stage of malignancy. Breast carcinoma (a mucin secreting tumor) and melanoma (a neuroectodermal tumor) were chosen as examples of tumors that can be accurately staged for localization or spread. Forty healthy subjects matched for age served as controls. The most marked differences between malignant tumors and controls were elevated plasma levels of tissue plasminogen activator antigen (P less than 0.005), plasminogen activator inhibitor (P less than 0.01), cross-linked fibrin degradation products (P less than 0.001), fragment B beta 15-42 (P less than 0.001) and histidine-rich glycoprotein (P less than 0.005). For no fibrinolysis test were results significantly different between patients with localized and spread tumors. Our data indicate that in these tumors fibrinolytic alterations are an early phenomenon unrelated to spreading.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Fibrinolytic response in normal subjects to venous occlusion and DDAVP infusion.

A set of fibrinolytic parameters was measured in 40 healthy subjects before and after a venous occlusion (VO) test lasting 10 min. After VO, plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen increased in all subjects, t-PA activity increased only in 25 subjects who were considered responders and remained unchanged in 15 (non-responders). High levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) in the non-responder group explain this discrepancy. The non-responders had basal levels of PAI activity and t-PA antigen higher than responders (p less than 0.0001) and their basal levels of t-PA activity were lower (p less than 0.001). DDAVP infusion elicited good responses in 7 of 9 non-responders to VO with a fall of PAI activity to 0. Our data indicate that a high proportion of healthy subjects do not have a fibrinolytic response after VO, that a lack of fibrinolytic response to VO is due to high plasma levels of PAI and that DDAVP infusion appear to be more selective than VO for detecting non-responders.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

High plasma levels of protein C activity and antigen in the nephrotic syndrome.

Low plasma levels of antithrombin III due to excessive urinary loss are thought to be the cause of thrombotic complications in patients with the nephrotic syndrome. To see whether protein C (PC), another antithrombotic protein, is also reduced in plasma by the same mechanism, plasma and urinary protein C were determined in 24 patients with nephrotic syndrome and no thrombotic complication, and compared to plasma and urinary antithrombin III. Twenty patients (83%) had high plasma levels of protein C activity (mean +/- SD 157 +/- 41 U/dl) and antigen (158 +/- 41). Even though measurable amounts of PC antigen were found in the urines of all but two patients the urinary loss of protein C relative to its plasma concentration was about 40 times lower than that of antithrombin III. High protein C might help to counteract hypercoagulability in nephrotic syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Decrease in protein C antigen and formation of an abnormal protein soon after starting oral anticoagulant therapy.

Changes in protein C antigen (PC:Ag) have been compared with those in factor II, VII, IX and X antigens (II:Ag; VII:Ag; IX:Ag and X:Ag) in 10 patients starting on oral anticoagulant therapy with warfarin, monitored with thrombotest. Between days 0 and 3 of therapy, PC:Ag decreased at the same rate as VII:Ag, whilst IX:Ag, X:Ag and II:Ag decreased at progressively slower rates. On days 15 and 21, clotting proteins and PC:Ag did not differ significantly. Before and after warfarin, PC:Ag had the same mobility on crossed immunoelectrophoresis in Ca2+-free agarose gel; with Ca2+, a protein with faster anodal mobility appeared on day 1 and became maximal 5 d after warfarin was started. These findings indicate that the rate of PC decrease is closer to that of factor VII than those of factors IX, X and II, and that an abnormal PC with poor Ca2+-binding properties appears soon after treatment is started. The early decrease in the physiological inactivator (i.e. PC) might contribute to the poor antithrombotic efficacy of anticoagulant therapy during the first days.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Elevation of thrombin-antithrombin complexes during thrombolytic therapy in patients with myocardial infarction.

In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with streptokinase (SK) or recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) we found high levels of thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes signalling a significant activation of the coagulation cascade. In the SK-treated group the median pretreatment TAT complexes levels were 5.0 micrograms/l and in all patients, whatever the pretreatment level, TAT complexes increased following treatment. A statistically significant increase (medians = 20.3 and 12.0 micrograms/l) was observed 90 and 180 min after starting SK. The mean pretreatment level in the rtPA-treated group was also 5.0 micrograms/l and in all but one patients TAT complexes increased following treatment. A statistically significant increase (medians = 37.0 and 30.5 micrograms/l) was observed 90 and 180 min after starting rtPA. There was no statistically significant difference between TAT complexes in the two groups of patients either before or 90 min after treatment, whereas at 180 min the median concentration of TAT complexes was significantly higher for rtPA- than for SK-treated patients. We did not find an association between coronary vessels patency after thrombolysis and concentrations of TAT complexes; however, the rate of occluded vessels was very low (4 out of 30 patients), so that a difference was perhaps lost due to the insufficient size of the sample. In conclusion, we found thrombin activity during thrombolytic therapy in patients with AMI. There is no important difference in this respect between rtPA and SK. Whether or not this phenomenon is responsible for early rethrombosis remains to be explored by larger studies.

Antithrombins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment with stanozolol of type I protein C deficiency in an Italian family.

Functional and immunological assays specific for protein C were employed in the study of a family with congenital protein C deficiency associated with venous thromboembolism. By both assays, four members of the family belonging to two generations had half-normal PC levels. These findings, as well as the normal mobility of the protein in crossed immunoelectrophoresis, suggest that PC deficiency in this family is due to the decreased synthesis of a functionally normal protein. In one member of the family oral administration of the anabolic steroid stanozolol increased PC levels until normal values, suggesting that the defect can be overcome by pharmacological stimulation of protein synthesis.

Adult↗