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Biomedical subjects

H Salman

Publications and source records attributed to H Salman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Effect of a garlic derivative (alliin) on peripheral blood cell immune responses.

The in vitro effect of the garlic derivative alliin, on the mitogen induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and cytokine production was examined. In addition, its effect on the engulfing capacity of phagocyting cells was evaluated. The results showed an increase in pokeweed mitogen (PWM) induced cell proliferation, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha production, as well as in the engulfing capacity of both percentage of phagocyting cells and number of latex particles phagocytized by each individual cell. The Con-A induced cell proliferation and IL-6 production decreased following incubation with alliin, whereas PHA-induced cell proliferation, IL-2 and superoxide anion generation remained unchanged. It is concluded that alliin in vitro exerts an immunomodulatory effect on certain functions of the peripheral blood cells.

Blood Cells↗
PubMed1999

IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Parkinson's disease.

The capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with treated Parkinson's disease (PD) to produce interleukin (IL) IL-1 beta IL-2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and the proliferative response to mitogens, was compared with that from cells from healthy subjects. The production of IL-2 and the mitogen response were significantly lower in PD patients, whereas the secretion of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly enhanced. To evaluate the role of levodopa in creating immunological alterations, PBMC of patients and controls were incubated with concentrations of the drug extrapolated from those used in clinical practice. Levodopa caused an inhibition of mitogen-induced proliferation, stimulation of IL-6 and TNF-alpha production, whereas the secretion of IL-1 beta and IL-2 was not affected. The results of the study provide a further support for the interrelationship between the central nervous and immune system. In addition, the data indicate that the immunological alterations found in PD may be partially attributed to levodopa administration.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1999

Decreased phagocytic function in patients with Parkinson's disease.

To determine the phagocytic function of the peripheral blood polymorphonuclears from patients with treated and untreated Parkinson's disease (PD), these cells were incubated with latex particles and the number of phagocytes, as well as the number of particles engulfed by each individual cell, were counted. Cells of untreated PD patients were significantly less phagocytotic than those of matched subjects without neurological or immune disorders (24% vs. 45%, P < 0.001). In addition, phagocytes from PD patients engulfed less particles per cell than those of the controls (8.4 +/- 0.7 vs. 16.5 +/- 1.3, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in both functions in untreated and treated PD. The results indicate that in addition to the known immune alterations in patients with PD, the ability of their peripheral blood phagocytic cells to engulf latex particles is impaired.

Female↗
PubMed1999

The effect of drug cost on hypertension treatment decision.

The cost of medical care is constantly increasing. Therefore, ways of saving expenses should be considered. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the possibility than an awareness of the cost of drugs for treatment of hypertension may affect physicians' prescription decisions. A questionnaire containing the clinical data of a young and an elderly imaginary patient with moderate hypertension was given to 30 family physicians and 30 hospital physicians together with a list of appropriate drugs (phase I). This was repeated as phase II except that for this stage the cost of the drugs was brought to the participants' attention. Knowing the cost of the drugs caused a decrease in prescription of the more expensive drugs for the younger patients; of 60% (family physicians) and 87% (hospital physicians). For their elderly patients family physicians preferred the less expensive drugs at both phases. 25% of the hospital doctors changed their preference towards less expensive drugs at phase II. For the younger patient, no correlation was found between the number of years of physicians' practice and the cost of the drugs chosen. For the elderly patient, physicians from both groups preferred less expensive drugs at phase II without any relation to their years of practice. The results of this study indicate that a knowledge of the price of the drugs may affect physicians' prescription decisions, a fact that may result in considerable saving by health providing organizations.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Adenosine stimulates ANP expression in cultured ventricular cardiomyocytes.

Adenosine protects the ischemic myocardium by coronary vasodilation and the depression of heart rate and contractility, improving myocardial energy balance. Adenosine effects on the myocardium are mediated predominantly by the type A1 receptors. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a vasodilator and regulator of blood volume, is secreted from either atrial or ventricular myocytes in response to cellular distention. In vivo, adenosine infusion has been shown to induce a rapid increase in plasma ANP, independent of blood pressure. We examined the possibility that adenosine enhances ANP-gene expression in cardiac myocytes. Administration of adenosine (10 microM) to cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes led to a 1.7-fold increase (p = 0.014, n = 9) in the abundance of ANP messenger RNA (mRNA) within 30 min, as measured by Northern blot hybridization. No such increase was obtained when adenosine was coadministered with 8-cyclopentyl-1,3dipropylxanthine (CPX, 10 microM), an adenosine A1-receptor antagonist. Our results point at adenosine as regulator of ANP mRNA level in cardiac myocytes.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1999

Effect of training on the phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages from rats exposed to swim stress.

Since strenuous effort may affect the immune system, a study was designed to examine the impact of the progressive training of rats exposed to swim stress. Rats (trained swimmers) were forced to swim daily in a water bath for progressively longer periods. At the end of the study, which continued for a total of 6 weeks, the superoxide anion generation and phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages, the mitogen response of splenic cells (splenocytes) and the serum corticosterone level were examined. The results, compared to those of animals taken in and out of their cages (nonswimmers), showed an increase in superoxide anion generation, as well as a decrease in both the percentage of phagocytosing cells and the number of particles internalized by each individual cell. In trained swimmers, the mitogen response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A (Con A), as well as the corticosterone level, did not change significantly from those of nonswimmers. A third group of animals were forced to swim once only for 30 min, until the appearance of signs of marked fatigue (acute swimmers). Their peritoneal macrophages showed an increased superoxide anion generation and a significantly decreased response to Con A compared to those of the nonswimmers. The serum corticosterone level in acute swimmers was found to be increased compared to that of an additional group of animals kept at complete rest. The findings indicate that the progressive training of rats exposed to swim stress does not prevent alterations in certain immune responses, a fact that should be considered by intensive exercisers.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Angioplasty in the stent era: results of a consecutive series of patients undergoing coronary angioplasty without surgical backup.

UNLABELLED: We prospectively studied the angiographic and clinical outcome in a group of 117 consecutive patients (140 vessels) undergoing coronary angioplasty in the stent ERA without surgical backup. There were no exclusion criteria. Intracoronary stents were deployed in 36 vessels (26%) either as a bailout procedure or for a suboptimal result following balloon angioplasty. Procedural success was achieved in 126 vessels in 108 patients (90%). Two patients developed Q-wave myocardial infarction and another two developed nonQ myocardial infarction. One patient died suddenly 2 days following an initially successful procedure. No patient was referred for emergency coronary artery bypass grafting and there were no vascular complications. Clinical or angiographic follow up was available in 87% of the patients and an angiographic follow up in 50% of the patients. At a median angiographic follow up of 210 days restenosis was seen in 34% of the vessels. Restenosis occurred in three of the 21 (14%) stented vessels and in 18 of the 41 (44%) nonstented vessels (P<0.02). CONCLUSION: In the stent era, coronary angioplasty can be safely performed without surgical backup. A satisfactory immediate and long-term result could be achieved by stenting 26% of the vessels.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1998

Effect of sodium thiopentone anesthesia on the phagocytic activity of rat peritoneal macrophages.

To elucidate the effect of sodium thiopentone anesthesia on the function of phagocytic cells, albino rats were anesthetized with 60 mg/kg. of sodium thiopentone. After 90 min., peritoneal macrophages were harvested and their capacity for superoxide anion generation was detected. Following anesthesia for 90 min. latex particles were injected intraperitoneally, and after additional 30 min. the macrophages were derived, embedded in agar and the number of cells engaged in phagocytosis, as well as the number of latex particles engulfed by each individual cell were counted in semi-thick sections. Macrophages of anesthetized animals showed a statistically significant decrease of both superoxide anion generation and mean number of phagocytic cells, and engulfed fewer particles than those of the controls. Similar results were obtained following incubation of the cells with sodium thiopentone in vitro. The serum corticosterone level in anesthetized rats was significantly higher than that of the control animals. The results indicate that impaired phagocytosis following anesthesia induced by sodium thiopentone, in addition to alterations of the immune system caused by surgical trauma, may be one of the reasons for increased susceptibility to infections of surgical patients during the postoperative period.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1998

In vitro modulation of activation antigens on human lymphocytes by beta-estradiol.

PROBLEM: The possible in vitro immunomodulating effect of beta-estradiol on phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocyte cultures was studied. METHOD OF STUDY: Lymphocyte cultures from 12 healthy men and women aged 25-35 years were set up for 12 hr in the presence and in the absence of beta-estradiol, and the expression of the activation markers CD25, CD69, and CD71 was examined by flow cytometric analysis with specific fluorescent conjugated antibodies. RESULTS: Although the number of cases is small, in 10 of 12 cases in the presence of beta-estradiol in two different concentrations, a significantly decreased expression of CD69 could be observed. A slight decrease could also be observed for the Interleukin-2 receptor expression; however, the difference, in the presence or absence of beta-estradiol, was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that in vitro addition of beta-estradiol can inhibit, to a certain degree, specific activation markers on phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes from young men and women. The present study could not define the role of sex differences because of the small number of samples. A comparison between men and women at various ages in a greater number of cases, as well as studies on activation markers after treatments with estrogens, would be useful.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effect of three days starvation on the phagocytic activity of rat peritoneal macrophages.

To examine the effect of starvation on the phagocytic activity of rat peritoneal macrophages, 8 animals were kept for 3 days on water supply only. The cells showed an increased capacity for superoxide anion production and a marked decrease in their ability to engulf latex particles. The corticosterone level of the fasting animals was markedly increased, an observation suggesting that the alteration of macrophage function could be hormonally mediated. The findings in the present study indicate that the decreased phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages following starvation may be one of the factors responsible for the increased susceptibility to infections in malnourished individuals.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Elevated serum ferritin level in acute myocardial infarction.

Serum ferritin level was determined in 20 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the first 10 days post infarction. Starting on the second day, a gradual increase in serum ferritin level was detected, reaching a maximum of four times the initial level on the sixth day after the infarction. In addition, a significant increase in ferritin content was found in the peripheral blood monocytes on the fifth day after the event. The control group comprised six patients suffering from chest pains not due to AMI. In all of them the serum ferritin level was found to be within normal limits. Peripheral blood monocytes derived from healthy individuals incubated with hydrocortisone, showed a significant enhancement of their ferritin content, a finding suggesting that these cells activated by steroids during stress could be a source of the increased serum ferritin level following AMI. It is concluded that measurement of serum ferritin may be used as a complementary tool for confirming the diagnosis of AMI.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Do drug costs affect physicians' prescription decisions?

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of the cost of pharmaceuticals on physicians' decisions about drug prescription. DESIGN: A simulation protocol for the treatment of two patients, one with mild and the other with a severe form of urinary tract infection (UTI), was designed. Thirty family physicians in outpatient clinics and 30 physicians in the internal medicine wards of a Community Hospital participated in the project. They had to prescribe treatment for the patients twice: at phase I, when the drug cost was unknown, and at phase II, after 2 months, when the price of the drugs was brought to their attention. The physicians selected the medication from a list of drugs commonly used for the treatment of UTIs. RESULTS: Analysis of the findings indicates that an awareness of drug costs affects prescription decisions among physicians in hospital wards, whereas family physicians showed a preference for less expensive drugs even before they were informed about drug costs. An extrapolation of the results shows that knowledge about the cost of the drugs usually administered for treatment of UTI, could save at least IS 112,883 ($34,207) a month to Kupat Holim Klalit (KHK) the health insurance institution to which the outpatient clinics and the hospital belong. CONCLUSIONS: When economic aspects of healthcare are considered, information on drug costs may be an important factor in physicians' decision-making processes and for saving pharmaceutical expenses.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1997

The in-vitro activity of grepafloxacin against Chlamydia spp., Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma urealyticum and Legionella spp.

The activity of grepafloxacin, a new orally active fluoroquinolone, was compared with the activities of ofloxacin, clarithromycin and doxycycline against Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum, and with the activities of ofloxacin, clarithromycin and rifampicin against Legionella spp. Grepafloxacin (MIC range 0.06-0.12 mg/L) was some 8-16 times more active than ofloxacin against the chlamydiae, showing activity similar to that of doxycycline, and equal or two- to four-fold less active than clarithromycin. Grepafloxacin was four-fold more active than ofloxacin against M. pneumoniae (MIC 0.06-0.5 mg/L) and U. urealyticum (MIC 0.12-1.0 mg/L), but 16 times more active against M. hominis (MIC 0.015-0.05 mg/L). Grepafloxacin was highly active against Legionella spp. (MIC 0.008-0.03 mg/L), showing equivalent activity to ofloxacin, clarithromycin and rifampicin.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

Effects of density and gating of delayed-rectifier potassium channels on resting membrane potential and its fluctuations.

The aim of this study is to evaluate directly, using a reduced experimental system, the nature of interactions between voltage-gated potassium channels and the resting membrane potential. Xenopus oocytes were injected with various concentrations of cRNA coding for a delayed-rectifier potassium channel Shaker-IR. The effects of the density and kinetics of the expressed channels on resting membrane potential is explored in isolated ("inside-out") patches. The channel density is given in terms of maximal conductance (Gmax), measured from the maximal slope of the I-V curve under voltage clamp conditions. The capacitance of the experimental setup is approximately 1 pF. At high channel densities (Gmax > 10 pA/mV) the mean membrane potential is stabilized at approximately -60 mV. This resting membrane potential is more than 35 mV positive to the reversal potential for potassium ions under the same experimental conditions. Analyses of voltage clamp experiments indicate that at high channel densities the mean membrane potential is determined by the rates of channel activation and deactivation, but is not affected by the rates involved in the process of slow (C-type) inactivation. In contrast, at lower channel densities membrane potential is very unstable, and its mean value and amplitude of fluctuations are strongly affected by the process of slow (C-type) inactivation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Plasma fibrinogen in Israeli Moslem and Jewish school-children: distribution and relation to other cardiovascular risk factors. The Petah Tikva project.

Plasma fibrinogen levels were measured in 1,175 Israeli schoolchildren, aged 9-18 years, originating from diverse ethnic groups. The Moslem children displayed striking differences in levels and age-patterns of fibrinogen compared to Jewish children. Lower mean plasma fibrinogen levels in boys aged 9-10, 13-14 and 16-18 were observed among Moslem boys, compared to their Jewish counterparts born in Israel. Moslem girls showed lower levels of fibrinogen than Jewish Israeli girls at ages 9-10 and 16-18. While the Jewish children displayed an age-associated fibrinogen pattern comparable at the three age groups, the levels for Moslem children increased pre-puberty and decreased post-puberty, peaking at 13-14 years. No significant difference in mean plasma fibrinogen was found between sexes within ethnic groups. A number of statistically significant but low correlations (-0.32 to 0.24) were found between plasma fibrinogen and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as a percentage of total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, uric acid, blood pressure, Quetelet index and sports activity. The difference between fibrinogen levels might point to a possible ethnicity risk factor explanation rather than environmentally acquired factors.

Adolescent↗