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Biomedical subjects

I Nathan

Publications and source records attributed to I Nathan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effect of synthetic enantiomeric cannabinoids on platelet aggregation.

The effect of a synthetic pair of enantiomeric cannabinoids on platelet function was evaluated. The nonpsychotropic enantiomer, the 1,1-dimethylheptyl homolog of (+)-(3S,4S)-7-hydroxy-delta-6-tetrahydrocannabinol (HU-211), was found to be more active in inhibiting ADP-induced platelet aggregation than the highly psychotropic (-)-enantiomer (HU-210). The related (+)-(3R,4R) cannabinoid, HU-213, which lacks the 7-hydroxy moiety, exerted its inhibitory effect within a wider range of concentrations. The results indicate a differentiation between psychotropic activity and inhibition of platelet aggregation in the cannabinoid group of compounds.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

A novel agarose acrobeads protein A column for selective immunoadsorbance of whole blood: performance, specificity and safety.

The present study describes the performance and safety parameters of a novel column composed of protein A linked to acrobeads. Hemoperfusion of anticoagulated whole human blood was carried out in a closed system. Specific adsorption of IgG was documented in whole blood, plasma and IgG diluted in saline. Specific activity of the column was 3.52 mg/ml beads. These studies revealed slight changes in platelet counts and minor hemolysis. The relatively short period needed for maximal hemoperfusion effect and safety may enable the use of this novel therapeutic approach in clinical practice.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Efficacy of right atrial infusion of PGE1 in sepsis-induced pulmonary hypertension.

In this study we investigated the effects of right atrial infusion of PGE1 (RAIPGE1) in doses from 40 to 500 ng/kg/min on sepsis-induced pulmonary artery hypertension (SIPAH). Thirteen pigs were randomized into a time-course group (n = 6) and a PGE1-treated group (n = 7). Pulmonary hypertension (PAH) was induced with the infusion of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (PsAr) at a concentration of 2 X 10(8) CFU/20 kg/min in both groups. The infusion of PsAr caused a significant and persistent rise in mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPA), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRI), right ventricular compliance (RVC), RV dp/dt, and right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI), 30 min after the onset of infusion (P less than 0.05 vs baseline). Systemic hemodynamics and gas exchange were not affected throughout the 3-hr period of infusion (P = NS); however, left ventricular compliance (LVC) was depressed at a MPA greater than 35 mm Hg. The RAIPGE1 following SIPAH caused a concentration-dependent reduction above 40 ng/kg/min of MPA, PVRI, RVSWI, and RV dp/dt (P less than 0.05, 120 and 500 ng/kg/min vs PAH). RVC returned to baseline values during the infusion of PGE1. Systemic hemodynamics, including oxygen delivery and extraction, were unaffected by the infusion of PGE1, but LVC was improved (P less than 0.05, PGE1 500 vs PAH). The infusion of PGE1 caused a concentration-dependent rise in shunt fraction (Qs/Qt) and alveolararterial oxygen gradients which reached statistical significance during the infusion of 500 ng/kg/min. Our data show that RAIPGE1 is effective in ameliorating RV and pulmonary hemodynamics, but at the largest dose it negatively affects gas exchange.

Alprostadil↗

Serum amyloid A, an acute phase protein, inhibits platelet activation.

The effect of serum amyloid A, an acute phase protein, on platelet function was studied. Serum amyloid A was isolated and purified from sera of patients with recent trauma. Serum amyloid A inhibited thrombin-induced gel-filtered platelet aggregation. However, it did not inhibit aggregation induced by collagen or adenosine diphosphate, nor did it influence the aggregation of platelet-rich plasma activated with thrombin. Further studies of its effect on thrombin-induced activities showed that serum amyloid A, at concentrations of 25 to 100 micrograms/ml (which are found in mild acute events), suppressed the increase of cytosolic [Ca2+], thromboxane generation, and carbon 14-labeled serotonin release in a dose-dependent fashion. Serum amyloid A did not interfere with the clotting or amidolytic activities of thrombin. Therefore, the data suggest a protective role for serum amyloid A in thromboembolic disease by specific interaction with thrombin-induced platelet activation. Amyloid A protein also markedly inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Because amyloid A is homologous to the N-terminal portion of serum amyloid A, the observed activity probably resides in that part of the molecule. This finding may be of importance in localization of the active site on serum amyloid A.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Mechanism of interaction between interferon-gamma and antineoplastic agent on the differentiation of HL-60 promyelocytic cells.

Exposure of HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells to a combination of interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), at concentrations ineffective by themselves, induced a significant differentiation into monocyte-like cells. This phenomenon was accompanied by a synergistic antiproliferative effect. Further characterization of these two activities of the IFN gamma/5-FU combination on HL-60 cells was carried out. Whereas a brief pretreatment of the cells with IFN gamma followed by 5-FU was sufficient to exert the synergistic antiproliferative action, the effect on differentiation was dependent on a prolonged concomitant exposure to both drugs. In an attempt to gain more insight into the biochemical mechanisms of these phenomena, we have examined the effects of RNA and protein synthesis inhibitors and of cytoskeleton disrupting agents on the actions of IFN gamma. Inhibition of RNA or protein synthesis by actinomycin D or cycloheximide did not prevent the antiproliferative action of IFN gamma nor the induction of monocytic differentiation, yet these two compounds blocked the priming effect of IFN gamma on the potentiation of 5-FU action. Actinomycin D synergistically potentiated the antiproliferative action of IFN gamma. Colchicine, vinblastine, and cytochalasin B, disrupting the microtubular and microfilament structure, did not interfere with the actions of IFN gamma; higher concentrations of the drugs even improved the priming effect. Exogenous thymidine, known to counteract the antiproliferative effect of 5-FU, also blocked the antigrowth action but not the differentiation induced by the IFN gamma/5-FU combination. The results suggest the existence of two different mechanisms of the IFN gamma/5-FU synergism: one governing the antiproliferative action via an effect on thymidine synthetase, inducible by a short-term IFN gamma pretreatment and dependent on de novo RNA and protein synthesis; and the other mediating the induction of differentiation requiring a long-term exposure of the cells to both drugs. From a clinical point of view, drug combinations such as IFN gamma and 5-FU, inducing differentiation as well as inhibiting proliferation, may suggest a new approach to the treatment of leukemia.

Cell Differentiation↗

Effect of uremic toxins--guanidino compounds and creatinine--on proliferation of HL60 and K562 cell lines.

Growth of the promyelocytic cell line HL60 and the erythroleukemia cell line K562 is inhibited by 'uremic toxins': creatinine, guanidino propionic acid and guanidino succinic acid in a concentration range similar to that of uremic sera. Among the tested compounds, creatinine exhibits the strongest and most dose-dependent inhibitory effect on both kinds of cells. These results provide a better understanding of the mechanism involved in the anemia of uremic patients.

Cell Line↗

Plasma and urine beta-thromboglobulin in severe preeclampsia.

Beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) has been shown to be a specific platelet protein and can be used as a marker of platelet activation in preeclampsia. Concomitant studies of BTG levels in plasma and urine were performed with eight primiparous severe preeclamptic patients and eight normal primiparous women matched for age. The mean plasma BTG in the severe preeclamptic patients was 186.62 +/- 29.93 ng/ml, and in the control group 45.38 +/- 31.84 ng/ml. The P-value for the difference was highly significant (P = 0.000). In contrast, the mean urine BTG in the study group was 8.42 +/- 4.61 ng/ml, while the mean value for the control group was similar, 5.00 +/- 3.20 ng/ml. The P-value for the difference was not significant (0.05 less than P less than 0.10). These results show that urinary BTG cannot be considered an indicator of platelet activation in severe preeclampsia. A low urinary BTG concentration in the presence of high plasma BTG levels may rather express renal impairment. Failure of BTG renal clearance would contribute to further raising the level of plasma BTG.

Adult↗

Plasma antithrombin III levels in pre-eclampsia and chronic hypertension.

Plasma levels of antithrombin III were tested during pregnancy in a control group of normal patients and in a study group that included patients with moderate and severe pre-eclampsia and chronic hypertension. The control group showed mean antithrombin III activity of 97.9 +/- 20.9%, the severe pre-eclamptic patients 22.33 +/- 18.22%, the moderate pre-eclamptic patients 56.0 +/- 7.56%, and the chronic hypertensive patients 77.5 +/- 6.69%. The difference between normal pregnancy and moderate pre-eclampsia was significant at P less than 0.002, normal pregnancy and severe pre-eclampsia P less than 0.002, moderate and severe pre-eclampsia P less than 0.002, chronic hypertension and normal pregnancy P less than 0.1, and chronic hypertension and severe pre-eclampsia P less than 0.002. All the severe pre-eclamptic patients and 2 out of 6 of the moderate pre-eclamptic women were below 55.7% (mean - 2S.D.) of normal antithrombin III activity. Patients with heavy proteinuria had depressed antithrombin III activity. However, chronic hypertensive pregnancies, although rather a small group, had almost normal values of plasma antithrombin III activity. The plasma antithrombin III value may thus help to distinguish between chronic hypertension and severe pre-eclamptic disease.

Adult↗

The involvement of calcium ions in the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on HL-60 cells.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) was found to suppress growth of human leukemic cells (HL-60), and to induce the differentiation of these cells to monocyte-like cells. The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of calcium ions in the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on HL-60 cells. Incubation of the HL-60 cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-7) M) for 4 days caused a significant inhibition of 50% of cell growth. The number of differentiated cells increased simultaneously from 24 x 10(3) +/- 2 x 10(3) in the controls to 658 x 10(3) +/- 32 x 10(3) in the 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-7) M)-treated cells. The role of calcium ions in the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on HL-60 cells was first studied by changing the available calcium in the medium and by measuring the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on intracellular Ca2+ levels. Limitation of the available Ca2+ by means of ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or verapamil enhanced the inhibitory effect on proliferation and decreased the number of differentiated cells obtained by 1,25(OH)2D3 alone. These effects could be abolished by restoring the Ca2+ levels. The role of the intracellular free Ca2+ ions in the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 was further illustrated by measuring the intracellular Ca2+ levels. The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-7) M)-treated HL-60 cells rose significantly from 117.0 +/- 6.3 nM in the untreated HL-60 cells to 145.0 +/- 7.5 nM in the treated cells (p less than 0.02). Addition of verapamil moderated the increase in intracellular free Ca2+ (125.0 +/- 5.2 nM) obtained by 1,25(OH)2D3 alone. Thus the elevation of intracellular free Ca2+ caused by 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment may be involved in the effect of the hormone on the HL-60 cells.

Calcitriol↗

Somatosensory evoked potentials and spinal cord perfusion pressure are significant predictors of postoperative neurologic dysfunction.

Paraplegia after thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair can occur in 3% to 40% of patients. This study investigated the efficacy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage to protect the spinal cord during aortic cross-clamping (AXC) and the interrelationship between drainage, spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP), and changes in somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) in a canine model of spinal cord ischemia. SCPP was defined as the mean distal aortic pressure minus the CSF pressure. In the experimental group, CSF was drained before AXC. SEP changes were quantitated as time to latency increase of 10% (L-10) and time to complete SEP loss. Drainage of CSF had no significant effect on the distal aortic pressure but significantly increased SCPP from 9.4 to 21.8 mm Hg and decreased the incidence of postoperative neurologic injury. Ischemic SEP changes were highly significant predictors of postoperative neurologic injury, occurring more than two times earlier in the paralyzed and paraparetic animals. Dogs without neurologic injury had significantly higher SCPP, delayed L-10 time, and delayed SEP loss.

Animals↗

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-3 alters membrane phospholipid composition and enhances calcium efflux in HL-60 cells.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (1,25(OH)2D3) had direct effects on the HL-60 cell membrane. Treatment of HL-60 cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 for short time periods (2-4 hours) caused an increase in calcium efflux. This phenomenon was found to be unrelated to new protein synthesis since it was not inhibited in the presence of RNA and protein synthesis inhibitors. The treatment of the HL-60 cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 for four hours caused changes in their membrane phospholipid composition. The phosphatidylcholine:phosphatidylethanolamine ratio increased from 1.2 to 1.5. Thus the alteration in the phospholipid composition in the membrane induced by 1,25(OH)2D3 may be responsible for the changes in the permeability of the membrane to calcium ions.

Calcitriol↗

Evaluation of a new type of membrane for blood oxygenation.

Results of tests on oxygen transfer rates and on a series of membranes, both in saline solutions and blood are reported. A series of hematological tests was carried out during the tests with blood, in order to assess the damage caused to the blood by contact with the membrane. All the results were compared with results obtained with the same equipment using Celgard membranes. A series of measurements at high liquid flow rate was carried out both with Celgard and the MFT membrane in order to eliminate the liquid-side resistance and evaluate the permeability of the membranes. The results of oxygen transfer rate into blood, when extrapolated by the "constant slope method" showed excellent agreement with the data obtained with saline solutions, justifying the use of oxygen absorption into saline during the process of screening membranes for use in blood oxygenators.

Absorption↗

Effect of guanidino-propionic acid on lymphocyte proliferation.

The 'uremic toxin', guanidino propionic acid (GPA), which was detected in uremic serum in correlation with BUN level, modified the mitogenic response of normal lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Mild modifications can be detected in the concentrations which are found in uremic patients. Other guanidino compounds which have been detected in uremic sera, such as guanidino succinic acid (GSA), guanidino butyric acid (GBA) and guanidino acetic acid (GAA), show similar inhibitory pathways. It is suggested that guanidino compounds contribute to the immunological disturbances in uremia. The complexity of their action on lymphocyte mitogenic response is probably the cause of the conflicting results which have been reported in the literature.

Cell Division↗

Specific impairment of ADP-induced platelet aggregation by cannabinoids.

The structure-activity relationship of the inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation by cannabinoids was studied. A marked specificity was revealed: derivatives in which the two asymmetric centers have a configuration opposite to that of the natural cannabinoids and have a dimethylheptyl (DMH) side-chain were most inhibitory. It is concluded that the mode of inhibition includes a specific interaction of the cannabinoids with some membrane proteins, possibly including the receptor for ADP.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

5-Hydroxytryptamine in platelets of torsion dystonia patients.

In an effort to explore possible changes in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) metabolism in idiopathic torsion dystonia (ITD), platelets from patients were studied. Platelet 5-HT concentrations did not differ from those in matched controls. 5-HT uptake by the platelets was also studied, and the results demonstrated significantly higher Km values, but Vmax values were normal among patients. Inhibition by imipramine of 5-HT uptake by platelets taken from ITD patients was also normal. The therapeutic implications of the low affinity of 5-HT to its platelet receptors are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Beta-thromboglobulin in pre-eclampsia.

Beta-thromboglobulin was tested in blood and urine in a study group of pre-eclamptic patients. The control group comprised a subgroup of normal non-pregnant women and a second subgroup of normal pregnant women. The results of the plasma beta-thromboglobulin blood test revealed no significant difference between the groups, whereas the urine of the pre-eclamptic group showed a significantly increased concentration of beta-thromboglobulin. This difference may reflect renal involvement in the pre-eclamptic patients; the turnover of platelets may be increased but the plasma level of beta-thromboglobulin is apparently maintained by the increased renal clearance.

Adult↗

Cannabinoids block release of serotonin from platelets induced by plasma from migraine patients.

The effects were assessed of delta'THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) and CBD and DMHP-CBD (the non-psychomimetic components of marijuana derivatives) on 14C labelled serotonin release from normal platelets, when incubated with patient's plasma obtained during migraine attack. A statistically significant inhibitory effect (p greater than 0.005) of 14C serotonin release was found at 10(-5)M, 10(-6)M, 10(-7)M delta'THC concentrations. Plasma of migraine patients obtained in attack-free periods revealed no significant inhibitory effect on 14C serotonin release from normal platelets using the same delta'THC concentration. CBD and DMHP-CBD had no significant inhibitory effect on 14C serotonin release from normal platelets when tested either at migraine-free period plasma or plasma obtained during migraine attack.

Blood Platelets↗