Red blood cell sodium and potassium fluxes in psoriatic patients

Psoriasis might be a widespread membrane disorder. Therefore, the red blood cell sodium, potassium and lithium outward fluxes (through Na-K-ATPase, Na-K-Cl co-transport, Li-Na countertransport and passive permeability), as well as the Na and K content, were studied in 31 psoriatic patients and 23 normal controls. A significant increase in intracellular potassium content, in the maximal velocity of the Na-K ATPase and of Na-K-Cl co-transport as well as in the outward passive permeability for Na were found in the psoriatic patients compared with controls. On the contrary, no differences were observed in sodium content, Li-Na countertransport and passive potassium permeability between the two groups. These results are compatible with a selective increase in inward, as well as outward, membrane permeability to sodium, which is compensated for by increased activity of the Na-K pump, and of the outward Na-K-Cl cotransport with a secondarily increased erythrocyte potassium content. They indicate that the red blood cell might be a useful model for the study of membrane transport in psoriatics.     

Association between the Red Cell Distribution Width and Vasospastic Angina in Korean Patients

PurposeThe association between the red cell distribution width (RDW) and vasospastic angina (VSA) has not been elucidated. We investigated the association of the RDW with the incidence and angiographic subtypes of VSA in Korean patients.ResultsThe VSA group had a higher RDW than the non-VSA group (12.9±0.8% vs. 12.5±0.7%, p=0.013). The high RDW level demonstrated an independent association with the high incidence of VSA [second tertile: hazard ratio (HR) 1.96 (1.13–2.83), third tertile: HR 2.33 (1.22–3.47), all p<0.001]. Moreover, the highest RDW tertile level had a significant association with the prevalence of the mixed-type coronary spasm [HR 1.29 (1.03–1.59), p=0.037].ConclusionThe high level of RDW was significantly associated with the prevalence of VSA and the high-risk angiographic subtype of coronary spasm, suggesting that a proactive clinical investigation for VSA could be valuable in Korean patients with an elevated RDW.     

复方四黄液联合封闭负压引流技术持续灌注冲洗对骨科感染缺损性创面修复及WBC、CRP、ESR的影响

目的:观察复方四黄液联合封闭负压引流技术持续灌注冲洗对骨科感染缺损性创面修复及WBC、CRP及ESR的影响。方法:选取2012年9月1日—2014年9月30日在广东省中山市中医院显微创伤科治疗的感染缺损性创面患者90例,随机分为A组、B组、C组,每组30例。A组给予复方四黄液联合VSD持续灌注冲洗治疗,B组给予复方四黄液外敷治疗,C组给予VSD持续负压引流治疗。比较三组的创面肉芽生长情况,同时抽取静脉血检测治疗前后外周血白细胞(WBC)计数,检测C反应蛋白(CRP)含量,测定红细胞沉降率(ESR)。结果:A组治疗后第5天、第10天创面肉芽生长情况评分优于B组、C组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);A组治疗后第5天、第10天WBC、CRP、ESR水平均优于B组、C组(P0.05)。结论:复方四黄液联合封闭负压引流技术持续灌注冲洗能有效促进骨科感染缺损性创面肉芽组织生长及组织修复,并能有效抑制炎症反应,促进创面愈合。     

Serum Copper Compared to Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate as Indicator of Disease Activity in Hodgkin's Disease

Serum copper and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were recorded in 54 patients with active Hodgkin's disease and at 186 occasions in 78 patients during stable complete remission. Relatively high and age-dependent normal limits for erythrocyte sedimentation rate were used. Each of the tests was elevated in 70 % of patients with active disease. During remission serum copper was elevated in 14 % and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 16.5 % of the determinations. Thus the two tests are considered not far from equal in their ability to discriminate between presence and absence of specific disease activity in Hodgkin's disease. Simultaneous elevation during remission occurred in less than 5 % of the recordings as compared to 61 % during active disease. It is therefore concluded that serum copper level may be of some value as a supplement to erythrocyte sedimentation rate.     

Fatty acids in plasma and red cell membranes of normal and hyperlipoproteinemic subjects

Fatty acids have been implicated in the pathogenesis of thromboatherosclerosis. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the increase in the plasma concentration of total cholesterol (TC) and/or triglycerides observed in hyperlipoproteinemias leads to changes in fatty acid patterns, namely serum free fatty acids, red blood cell membrane phosphatidylcholine, high density lipoprotein phosphatidylcholine (HDL-P) and HDL-cholesterol esters. The C18:1/C18:2 ratio in each lipid fraction was calculated and correlated with the values of TC and triglyceride concentrations, TC/HDL-C and apo A₁/apo B ratios. According to the results of this experiment, we may conclude that each of the studied lipid fractions has a characteristic fatty acid composition. These fatty acid patterns are apparently unaffected by the increase in serum cholesterol and/or triglyceride concentrations observed in the hyperlipoproteinemic subjects. No correlation was observed between C18:1/C18:2 ratio from each lipid fraction. Finally, no correlation was detected between the C18:1/C18:2 ratio and the values of total serum cholesterol, triglyceride concentrations, CT/HDL-C and apo A₁/apo B ratios.     

C-Reactive Protein in Giant Cell (Cranial,Temporal) Artentis

A controlled study of C-reactive protein in patients with and without temporal arteritis was performed. C-reactive protein was elevated in 10 of 11 patients with biopsy-proven temporal arteritis before treatment. It was positive in 14 of 32 control patients with negative temporal artery biopsies. This difference is statistically significant. C-reactive protein was elevated in 6 to 9 (depending on the adequacy of therapy) of 34 patients with temporal arteritis after corticosteroids were started. C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are positively correlated in untreated arteritis. Clinical correlation showed C-reactive protein was more sensitive than the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in following the adequacy of corticosteroid dosages in temporal arteritis probably because many more noninflammatory factors influence erythrocyte sedimentation than influence C-reactive protein.     

Lumbar disc surgery and variations in C-reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the complement split product C 3 d

Summary Lumbar disc surgery was performed in fifty consecutive patients and variation in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), complement C 3 d, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels before and after surgery were recorded. Preoperative values were within normal limits in all patients. Postoperatively, CRP increased immediately, with a maximum of 28.5 mg/l on the 2nd day and were normalized within 6 days. The maximum ESR elevation occurred after the 6th day and was followed by a slow decrease. After 12 weeks some patients still had an elevated ESR. Plasma C 3 varied pari passu with the ESR. Uncomplicated recovery after lumbar disc surgery seems to be indicated by a normalization of CRP, regardless of ESR values. Therefore, ESR may not be so useful as an indicator of disc space inflammation as previously accepted.     

Effects of brazilin on blood viscosity and erythrocyte deformability in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Effects of brazilin on the blood viscosity and erythrocyte deformability were investigated in alloxan induced diabetic rats. By the treatment of brazilin to alloxan induced diabetic rats, enhancement of erythrocyte deformability was observed. In thein vitro study on the erythrocyte deformability, brazilin showed statistically significant improving effects on the erythrocyte deformability. At the concentrations of 10⁻³M of brazilin, erythrocyte deformability was compared with those of hematoxylin, pentoxifylline and prednisolone.