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Biomedical subjects

F Manzato

Publications and source records attributed to F Manzato.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Study of platelet adhesion in patients with uncomplicated hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate platelet function in patients with essential hypertension by sensitive methods investigating platelet adhesion and expression of some platelet glycoproteins (GP), namely GPIIb/IIIa (CD41/alpha 2 beta 3) and GMP-140 (CD62/P-selectin/PADGEM). Other markers of platelet (beta-thromboglobulin) and endothelium activation (von Willebrand factor) were also measured. METHODS: We studied 21 uncomplicated essential hypertensive patients and 20 healthy normotensive control subjects, non-smokers, matched for age and sex. Resting and stimulated platelet adhesion was performed with a colorimetric method using the activity of platelet acid phosphatase for the determination of the number of platelets adhering to human plasma- or fibrinogen-coated microwells. Platelet activation was characterized by flow cytometric measurement of GPIIb/IIIa and GMP-140 in whole blood and washed platelets suspensions, with antihuman fluorescent monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Thrombin-stimulated platelet adhesion to human plasma-coated microwells was significantly higher in hypertensive patients than in control subjects (0.05 U/ml thrombin: 13.4 +/- 1.0 versus 7.7 +/- 0.6% adhesion; 0.1 U/ml thrombin: 19.4 +/- 2.3 versus 12.6 +/- 1.8%; means +/- SEM), whereas platelet adhesion to fibrinogen-coated wells did not differ in the two groups. Flow-cytometry analysis of whole blood demonstrated a significantly increased expression of GMP-140 in hypertensive patients compared with normal subjects (percentage of CD62+ platelets: 7.3 +/- 1.2 versus 3.7 +/- 1; means +/- SEM), whereas the expression of GPIIb/IIIa did not differ in the two groups (percentage of CD41a+ platelets: 72.5 +/- 4.5 versus 70.4 +/- 3.9). Moreover, flow cytometry showed an increased size of platelets in hypertensive patients compared with that in control subjects (forwards scattering: 46.5 +/- 1.5 versus 38.9 +/- 1.1; means +/- SEM). Flow-cytometric evaluation of washed platelet suspensions showed no statistically significant differences between the expression of GMP-140 and GPIIb/IIIa in the two groups. beta-Thrombo-globulin plasma levels were higher in hypertensive patients than they were in normal subjects (36.3 +/- 2.0 versus 28.2 +/- 1.3 ng/ml; means +/- SEM). Von Willebrand factor plasma levels were not significantly different in the two groups (101.2 +/- 10.3 versus 86.3 +/- 5.6 U/dl). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide further evidence that there is a significant, albeit weak, platelet activation in hypertensive patients compared with normal subjects.

Adult↗

Resistance to activated protein C in healthy women taking oral contraceptives.

Resistance to activated protein C (APC) is at present considered the most frequent laboratory abnormality in patients with deep-vein thrombosis. An increased risk for venous thrombosis is associated to the use of oral contraceptives (OC). We studied APC sensitivity in 50 healthy women taking OC and in 50 healthy controls, matched for age, smoking habit, educational and social levels, and the main biochemical routinary parameters. Subjects with a personal or familial history of thrombosis and also with chronic or acute diseases were excluded. Protein C, protein S, antithrombin III and lupus anticoagulant activity (LAC) were also evaluated. Increased fibrinogen and protein C levels, decreased protein S. and shortened PT and APTT were also observed in women taking OC. APC sensitivity ratio (APC-SR) was significantly lower in the OC group than in a control group (2.6 +/- 0.38 v 2.81 +/- 0.35, P < 0.01). Seven of eight women with APC ratio < or = 2 (APC resistant) were OC users: the difference of prevalence was statistically significant (chi-squared test, P < 0.05). Only two out of eight women were found heterozygous for the Leiden factor V mutation. Two APC-resistant women without the Leiden mutation subsequently discontinued OC and both then normalized their APC-SR. We conclude that acquired factors, i.e. oral contraceptives, may play an important role in determining plasma APC resistance.

Adult↗

A colorimetric method for the measurement of platelet adhesion in microtiter plates.

A procedure for the determination of the adhesion of human platelets to protein-coated culture microwells was developed. The number of platelets was quantitated by measuring the activity of acid phosphatase, a platelet enzyme whose activity is stable independently of platelet stimulation and is not released. Isolated and washed platelets were incubated in 96-well microtiter plates with flat-bottom wells that had been precoated with various compounds, including collagen, fibrinogen, human plasma, and human albumin. At the end of incubation (optimal time: 40-60 min), nonadherent platelets were washed out, adherent platelets were solubilized with Triton X-100, and the acid phosphatase activity was measured by using the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate. The p-nitrophenol produced was measured with a microplate reader at 405 nm and the percentage of adhesion was calculated with reference to known platelet standards. ADP and thrombin stimulated platelet adhesion in a dose-dependent manner to fibrinogen and human plasma, but not to human albumin. Platelets adhered to collagen even in the absence of stimulants. Simultaneous evaluation of adhesion and aggregation demonstrated that with ADP as stimulus, but not with thrombin, the two platelet responses were dissociated. Microscopic examination of culture wells showed that most of platelets adhered as single cells and not as aggregates. The sensitivity of this method allowed the assay of platelet adhesion by using only 2.5 x 10(5) platelets/well.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Interrelation between angiographic severity of coronary artery disease and plasma levels of insulin, C-peptide and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Plasma insulin, C-peptide and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were measured in 64 men with coronary artery disease (CAD) documented by angiography. Coronary arteriograms were analyzed, and the severity and diffusion of coronary lesions were quantified by score systems. C-peptide and PAI-1 levels in patients with CAD were significantly higher than in 30 control subjects. Insulin, C-peptide and PAI-1 showed a highly significant correlation with the severity scores for coronary lesions (C-peptide more than insulin), but only a weak correlation with diffusion scores. Highly significant correlations were found between insulin and PAI-1, and even greater ones between C-peptide and PAI-1. It has been proposed that hyperinsulinemia may be involved in the etiology of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by dysregulating lipoprotein metabolism and blood pressure. These findings support that hypothesis and suggest that insulin secretion may be an index of the severity of CAD. Because a direct effect of insulin on the cells that synthesize PAI-1 has been shown, the present data further indicate that the effect of insulin on fibrinolysis may be another way by which hyperinsulinemia accelerates atherogenesis.

Body Mass Index↗

Levels of plasma factor VII and factor VII activated forms as a function of plasma triglyceride levels.

It has been shown that triglyceride levels are one of the determinants of factor VII levels. In this study we have simultaneously evaluated, in a group of 102 healthy individuals, the different forms of factor VII, namely factor VII mass, factor VII coagulant activity, activated factor VII double-chain form and factor VII-phospholipid complex, in relation to triglyceridaemia. The data showed a highly significant correlation of factor VII mass, factor VII coagulant activity and factor VII-phospholipid complex with triglycerides. No correlation was observed between the activated factor VII double-chain form and triglycerides. These data, together with analysis of the linear and orthogonal regression slopes, suggest that increase of plasma factor VII coagulant activity as a function of plasma triglyceride levels is attributable to an increase in both mass and activity of factor VII and that the increase in activity is dependent on an increase of factor VII-phospholipid complex rather than activated factor VII double-chain form. The ratio between the slopes of the regression straight line of factor VII mass and factor VII-phospholipid complex in relation to triglycerides was 2.23 (95% confidence limits 1.74-2.50), thus indicating that the contribution of factor VII mass is prevalent over that of the factor VII-phospholipid complex.

Adult↗

Selenium supplementation increases renal glomerular filtration rate.

Selenium (Se) is a trace element variously distributed in the human body and especially concentrated in certain organs, such as the renal cortex. We report results obtained during a ten weeks' oral Se supplementation. Experiments were devised to evaluate previous preliminary observations which suggested a possible effect of Se addition on the renal glomerular filtration rate. Eleven healthy volunteers have given increasing oral Se (as a sodium selenite solution) as follows: on the first week they have given 100 micrograms Se per day; this was progressively increased 100 micrograms per day for each of the following 6 weeks; the last dose (700 micrograms per day) was maintained for three further weeks. Serum and 24-hour urine were collected weekly for creatinine determination by kinetic Jaffé reaction and Se measurement by proton-induced X ray emission (PIXE). The final mean serum creatinine concentration was 13% lower than the initial mean value (p less than 0.01). Mean creatinine clearance increased significantly (p less than 0.05) and showed a direct correlation with mean Se clearance (r = 0.79; p less than 0.001). As the increase of creatinine clearance was concomitant with a reduction of serum creatinine levels, we excluded the possibility of toxic effects. Our results seem to suggest a positive influence of Se supplementation on the rate of glomerular filtration and we hypothesize that Se might be involved in the vascular regulatory mechanism of the kidney.

Adult↗

Determination of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in venous and capillary whole blood.

A procedure is presented and evaluated for separation of plasma high density lipoprotein from either capillary or venous whole blood. The lipoprotein is separated by adding 50 microliter of sample to 250 microliter of 0.15 M NaCl solution containing 99.9 g/l polyethyleneglycol 6000, 0.0374 g/l dextran sulfate (Mr 15,000) and 2.6 mM Mg2+. After gentle mixing for a few minutes and standing 10 min at room temperature, mixtures are centrifuged (1,500 g) for 10 min and cholesterol is measured on 200 microliter of supernatant by an enzymatic-colorimetric method. Comparison studies demonstrate a good correlation between high density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma and capillary or venous whole blood. The procedure is simple, has the advantage of using either K3-EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood, without the need of centrifugation, or capillary whole blood which can also be collected away from the laboratory.

Capillaries↗

A new chemical procedure for selective sequential separation of serum lipoproteins.

A new chemical procedure for selective sequential separation of serum lipoproteins is described. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) were precipitated by polyvinylsulfate and the precipitates were redissolved in NaCl 0.45 mol/l. Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) were precipitated from LDL-free supernatants by PEG-6000 at 100 g/l final concentration, pH 10, and the precipitates were redissolved in NaCl 0.15 mol/l. For the precipitation of high density lipoproteins (HDL), apolipoprotein B-free supernatants were treated by PEG-6000 at 266 g/l final concentration and the precipitates were redissolved in NaCl 0.15 mol/l. The procedure was effective up to a serum triglyceride concentration of 4.0 mmol/l as well as in serum samples without chylomicrons or remnants. The determination of cholesterol and triglyceride contents in separated lipoproteins allows the study of their chemical composition in normo- and moderately hypertriglyceridemic serum samples.

Chemical Precipitation↗

Severe preeclampsia in antithrombin III deficiency with no history of venous thromboembolism.

Complications of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, placental abruption, fetal growth retardation, still-birth and fetal death are associated with an increased frequency of pro-thrombotic abnormalities. We describe a case of severe preeclampsia and multiple placental infarctions in a 28-year-old woman at 31 weeks' gestation. Despite a negative personal history for venous thromboembolism, coagulation screening for thrombophilia detected an isolated antithrombin III deficiency. In view of the high prevalence of pro-thrombotic complications, laboratory screening for thrombophilia would be advantageous in women with complicated pregnancies, to ensure adequate management in high-risk situations, as suggested by larger-scale clinical investigations.

Adult↗