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Biomedical subjects

H Mani

Publications and source records attributed to H Mani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Development and clinical evaluation of two chromogenic substrate methods for monitoring fondaparinux sodium.

This study was designed to develop methods for monitoring of the selective factor Xa inhibitor fondaparinux sodium (ARIXTRA) based on standard laboratory methods for the chromogenic determination of the anti-factor Xa activity of low molecular weight heparin. To examine the biologic activity of fondaparinux in comparison to its plasma concentration, 2 methods were investigated: 1 working with the addition of antithrombin (AT), the other without exogenous AT. Both methods showed a linear relationship of fondaparinux concentration and OD/min on a log-lin scale in the range from 0.1 to 2 microg/mL. Inter- and intra-assay variability was <6% in all cases. The results of spiked samples from patients on vitamin K antagonists (VKA) were in good agreement with both methods, and the determination of the fondaparinux concentration was not influenced by reduced levels of factor X in plasma caused by VKA-intake. Ex vivo samples from orthopedic patients (n=18) on prophylactic treatment with fondaparinux showed concentrations between 0.2 to 0.7 microg/mL 3 hours after s.c. injection. No significant differences were detected between both methods with these samples. The presented methods are suitable tools for monitoring of fondaparinux. The linear calibration curve in the range 0.1 to 2 microg/mL is suitable for determination of prophylactic and therapeutic application of fondaparinux. Both methods, with and without addition of AT, can be performed fully automated in clinical routine on an automated coagulation analyzer (STA coagulation analyzer). No significant differences were detected between both methods with these samples.

Anticoagulants↗

[Resistance to acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel: current status].

Resistance to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or clopidogrel is understood from the clinical point of view as failure of the drugs to prevent recurrent vascular occlusions. Non-response to ASA and clopidogrel is defined from the laboratory aspect as an inability to cause in vitro detectable platelet function inhibition. It would be beneficial to monitor non-response to ASA or clopidogrel with platelet function methods, which detect the specific effect of these drugs, and thus prevent clinical events caused by failure of therapy. Non-response to ASA and clopidogrel are detected with different platelet function methods, which are not always clinically standardized and are assessing only the global platelet function and not the specific drug effect. Although various studies reporting 5 to 59% non-response for both drugs, support a clinical relevance of ASA and clopidogrel non-response, well-designed clinical prospective trials are required to identify patients with antiplatelet drug resistance. Furthermore, mechanisms explaining this phenomenon of drug resistance are still unknown.

Aspirin↗

Use of native or platelet count adjusted platelet rich plasma for platelet aggregation measurements.

BACKGROUND: It is still not clear whether native or platelet count adjusted platelet rich plasma (PRP) should be used for platelet aggregation measurements. AIM: To evaluate the necessity of using adjusted PRP in platelet function testing. METHODS: Platelet aggregation with native PRP and adjusted PRP (platelet count: 250/nl, obtained by diluting native PRP with platelet poor plasma) was performed on the Behring Coagulation Timer (BCT(R)) using ADP, collagen, and arachidonic acid as agonists. Healthy subjects, patients on antiplatelet treatment, and patients with thrombocytosis (platelet counts in PRP > 1250/nl) were investigated. RESULTS: No significant differences in the maximum aggregation response were seen when using either native or adjusted PRP from healthy subjects and patients on antiplatelet treatment. Nevertheless, some patients taking aspirin or clopidogrel showed reduced inhibition of ADP and arachidonic acid induced aggregation in adjusted PRP but not in native PRP. The maximum velocity of healthy subjects and patients on antiplatelet treatment varied significantly as a result of the degree of dilution of the adjusted PRP. Surprisingly, the BCT provided good results when measuring platelet aggregation of native PRP from patients with thrombocytosis, whereas commonly used aggregometers could not analyse platelet aggregation of native PRP in these patients. CONCLUSION: The time consuming process of PRP adjustment may not be necessary for platelet aggregation measurements. Moreover, using adjusted PRP for monitoring aspirin or clopidogrel treatment may falsify results. Therefore, it may be better to use native PRP for platelet aggregation measurements, even in patients with thrombocytosis.

Adult↗

Influence of blood collection techniques on platelet function.

For investigations of platelet function it is recommended that venipuncture should be performed using ordinary needle systems instead of butterfly cannulae systems. Platelets might be activated in the long plastic tubes of butterfly systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the dependency of platelet function results on blood sampling using different collection systems. Therefore, blood of 25 healthy volunteers was collected from both arms using at the same time on one side a 21-gauge needle and on the other side a 21-gauge butterfly cannula system. Both samples of each volunteer were analyzed on the PFA-100. Platelet aggregation was performed on the Behring Coagulation Timer (BCT) and the optical aggregometer PAP-4 using ADP, collagen and arachidonic acid to induce platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma. No significant prolongation of the closure times on the PFA-100 with the COL/EPI cartridge and the COL/ADP cartridge was observed when using butterfly cannulae. The results of optical aggregometry were not significantly different. The maximum aggregation response did not differ significantly for both collection systems. Aggregometry and the PFA-100 system are not affected by different blood collection systems. Therefore butterfly cannulae can be used for sample collection to investigate platelet function.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Mesenchymal tumors of the liver.

Primary angiosarcoma of the liver accounts for up to 2% of all primary liver tumors and is the second most common primary malignant neoplasm of the liver. Approximately 10 to 20 new cases are diagnosed every year in the United States and the prevalence varies from 0.14 to 0.25 per million. In an autopsy series from Chicago, one hepatic angiosarcoma was noted for every 30 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Prevention of renal ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury in rats by picroliv.

Picroliv is a potent antioxidant extracted from the roots and rhizome of Picrorhiza kurrooa. It has been shown to impart significant hepatoprotective activities, partly by modulation of free radical-induced lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species are associated with tissue injury in post-ischemic acute renal failure. The efficacy of picroliv was assessed in an in vivo model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats at a dose of 12 mg/kg orally for 7 days. The animals were killed at various times after reperfusion. Increased lipid peroxidation and apoptotic cell number reflected the oxidative damage following renal IRI. Picroliv-pretreated rats exhibited lower lipid peroxidation, improved antioxidant status, and reduced apoptosis, indicating better viability of renal cells. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that picroliv pretreatment attenuated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the glomerular region. These results suggested that picroliv pretreatment protects rat kidneys from IRI, perhaps by modulation of free radical damage and adhesion molecules.

Animals↗

Picroliv preconditioning protects the rat liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Cell death following ischemia-reperfusion injury is a major concern in clinical issues such as organ transplantation and trauma. The need to identify agents with a potential for preventing such damage has assumed great importance. We have evaluated the efficacy of picroliv, a potent antioxidant derived from the plant Picrorhiza kurrooa, in protecting against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo. Picroliv was fed to male Sprague Dawley rats in a dose of 12 mg/kg once daily by oral gavage for 7 days prior to hepatic ischemia. Ischemia was induced by occluding the hepatic pedicel with a microaneurysm clip for 30 min and reperfusion was allowed thereafter for varying period (15-120 min) by releasing the microaneurysm clip. Picroliv pretreatment resulted in better hepatocyte glycogen preservation and reduced apoptosis. Reduction in apoptosis was associated with decreased mRNA expression of caspase-3 and Fas. Oxidant induced cellular damage as measured by tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels was significantly less following picroliv pretreatment. Both a reduction in neutrophil infiltration and an increased level of intracellular antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase possibly contributed to the reduction in tissue lipid peroxidation. Tissue inflammatory cytokines level of interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) was also lower in picroliv group. Furthermore, picroliv pretreatment resulted in enhanced proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactivity. These studies strongly suggest picroliv to be a promising agent for ameliorating injury following ischemia-reperfusion.

Animals↗

Picroliv modulates the expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II and IGF-I receptor during hypoxia in rats.

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF-I and IGF-II, play important roles in normal growth and differentiation. In recent studies, IGFs have been implicated in tissue repair and regeneration after hypoxicischemic injury. The growth effects of these genes are exerted primarily through IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR). We have earlier shown that picroliv, obtained from the roots of Picrorhiza kurrooa, reduces cellular damage caused by hypoxia in vitro. We have now studied the modulation of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF-IR in hypoxia and the ability of picroliv to modify their expression in vivo. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, placed in 10% oxygen for 4 days, were sacrificed, and the expression of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF-IR was determined by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in brain, liver and lung. One group of animals was pretreated with picroliv and the other served as control. IGF-I and IGF-IR were expressed in distinct regions of the brain but not in liver or lung. IGF-I was mainly expressed in the hippocampus and cerebellum, whereas IGF-IR expression was also observed in the cortex. A significant reduction in the messenger RNA (mRNA) level of these genes was observed in response to hypoxia. Pretreatment with picroliv not only prevented such downregulation but more importantly resulted in increased levels of IGF-I and IGF-IR. These observations correlated with reduced neuronal cell death observed in these animals. The mRNA of IGF-II was constitutively expressed and was not altered by hypoxia. Modulation of IGF-I and IGF-II expression by picroliv, a novel pharmacological agent, could benefit in similar clinical settings such as myocardial ischemia and certain cerebral injuries.

Animals↗

Thymosin beta4 accelerates wound healing.

Angiogenesis is an essential step in the repair process that occurs after injury. In this study, we investigated whether the angiogenic thymic peptide thymosin beta4 (Tbeta4) enhanced wound healing in a rat full thickness wound model. Addition of Tbeta4 topically or intraperitoneally increased reepithelialization by 42% over saline controls at 4 d and by as much as 61% at 7 d post-wounding. Treated wounds also contracted at least 11% more than controls by day 7. Increased collagen deposition and angiogenesis were observed in the treated wounds. We also found that Tbeta4 stimulated keratinocyte migration in the Boyden chamber assay. After 4-5 h, migration was stimulated 2-3-fold over migration with medium alone when as little as 10 pg of Tbeta4 was added to the assay. These results suggest that Tbeta4 is a potent wound healing factor with multiple activities that may be useful in the clinic.

Animals↗

Acceleration of viral replication and up-regulation of cytokine levels by antimalarials: implications in malaria-endemic areas.

Antimalarial drugs are widely used in malaria endemic areas, both for chemoprophylaxis and also empirically to treat patients presenting with fever. Previously, we have reported that chloroquine enhances the severity of Semliki forest virus (SFV) and encephalomyocarditis virus infection. The studies presented herein show that a broad spectrum of antimalarial drugs augmented the replication of SFV in mice, concomitant with greater tissue damage and up-regulation of mRNA levels of various inflammatory cytokine genes, including interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), II-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12p40, and interferon-gamma inducing factor. Furthermore, chloroquine enhances IL-1Ra production in RAW cells in vitro. Since IL-1Ra is known to be up-regulated in a number of viral infections, we propose that a further enhancement of its expression by antimalarials may be responsible for the increased severity of viral infection in our studies. Thus, the widespread use of antimalarials in malaria-endemic areas may predispose the population to viral infections. Further studies are in progress to delineate mechanism(s) involved in cytokine up-regulation and acceleration of viral replication.

Alphavirus Infections↗

[A case of nephrotic syndrome with diabetes mellitus and primary aldosteronism].

A 65-year-old man had been followed by a family doctor for the treatment of hypertension and chronic hepatitis (type C) for about 20 years. Although he was pointed out to have impaired glucose tolerance and primary aldosteronism in 1995, he refused an adrenal tumor operation. He was admitted to our hospital on December, 1997 for further evaluation of general malaise, pitting edema of the legs, and positive urinary protein. A diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome was made on admission and a renal biopsy was performed. Histological findings indicated that he was at the early phase of diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive renal sclerosis. It is commonly believed that diabetic nephropathy develops after ten years of diabetic history and under poor control conditions. The diabetic history of this patient was only several years and the disease was under good control. In contrast to blood glucose, hypertension was not well-controlled with any antihypertensive drug, because he had a primary aldosteronism. Unfortunately, he could not take a spironolactone because of side effects. After removal of his adrenal tumor, his blood pressure was normalized gradually, and concomitantly his urinary protein was reduced and plasma protein and albumin were restored. Hypokalemia also disappeared. These findings suggest that uncontrolled hypertension may have accelerated the condition of diabetic nephropathy. The data indicates that the control of hypertension is important for inhibiting the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Aged↗

Toxicity and clearance of a combination of liposome-encapsulated ganciclovir and trifluridine.

New Zealand albino rabbits were given intravitreal injections of liposome-encapsulated ganciclovir and trifluridine. Preoperatively and postoperatively, the eyes were evaluated by indirect ophthalmoscopy at different time intervals up to 14 days after injection. At intervals up to 14 days postinjection, the animals were sacrificed, the eyes enucleated, vitreous antiviral levels determined in one group of eyes, and histopathological examination conducted in the other group. The results of this study demonstrated prolonged intravitreal drug levels above the mean inhibitory dose for many strains of virus belonging to the herpes simplex virus family. No evidence of gross retinal toxicity was found by clinical or light microscopic examination of the treated eyes.

Animals↗

Intraocular meningothelial meningiomas.

A 24-year-old male was referred for evaluation and treatment of a choroidal tumor located 1 1/2 disc diameters from the optic disc of the right eye. The tumor had doubled in size over a 29-month period of observation, and measured 8 x 8 x 5 mm. The intraocular tumor was removed by internal eye wall resection, and the pathology specimen revealed the tumor to be a meningothelial meningioma.

Adult↗