Endothelial response for the presence of chosen antinuclear antibodies, anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-La (SS-B) and anti-Sm in vasculitis against the background of existing lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematodes is a disease commonly associated with peripheric circulation disturbances. The goal of the study was the evaluation of the role of the following nuclear antibodies: anti-Ro (SS-A), anti-La (SS-B) and anti-Sm in the endothelium damage process in the SLE patients with symptoms of microcirculation disturbances. The concentration of plasma thrombomodulin was used as a marker of the endothelium destructive changes intensity. Twenty-four patients with SLE (22 women and 2 man) aged of 18-57 (the average age 40.50 +/- 9.72 years) in which occurred: the Raynauds symptom (16 patients), fingers cyanosis (5 patients) and fingers and/or toes necrosis (3 patients) were investigated. Antinuclear antibodies and thrombomodulin level was estimated with the ELISA method. In all patients, the concentration of anticardiolipin antibodies in serum was determined (ELISA-method, cardiolipin was used as an antigenes, Sigma USA). Higher titers of ANA antibodies in 83%, anti-SM antibodies in 30%, anti-Ro in 42% and anti-La in 42%, examined patients and higher titer of anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies together in 29% of examined patients were stated. Statistical significant correlation between the increased level of thrombomodulin and anti-La antibodies concentrations in serum of patients with the disease lasting over 6 years was found out. The significant statistical correlation of thrombomodulin concentration increasing and anti-La antibodies in serum was proved. The dynamism of limbs circulation disorders depends on the disease duration.     

Massive myocardial hypertrophy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a risk factor for sudden death and high defibrillation threshold during cardioverter-defibrillator implantation

Two cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with massive hypertrophy and high defibrillation threshold (DFT) are described. A 14-year-old boy, whose single risk factor for sudden death was extreme hypertrophy with maximum interventricular septum (IVS) thickness of 43 mm, survived an episode of ventricular fibrillation. During ICD implantation DFT testing showed energy requirements >30 J and the procedure was aborted. Amiodarone and verapamil treatment was discontinued and treatment with oral sotalol was instituted. After a period of amiodarone washout the procedure was repeated and DFT of 24 J was encountered. An 18-year-old female with massive hypertrophy (IVS thickness=35 mm) and other risk factors for sudden death underwent ICD implantation for primary prevention. During the procedure DFT=20 J and ICD with 30 J maximal output was implanted. An increase in DFT to more than 20 J was encountered during pre-discharge test. Lack of 10 J safety margin warranted ICD system revision and upgrade; during the second procedure DFT was 24 J and ICD with 35 J maximal output was implanted. In summary, in both cases ICDs with 35 J maximal output were successfully implanted.     

Chronic peripheral arterial occlusive disease, platelet glycoproteins GPIIb-IIIa and GP Ib-IX, plasma von Willebrand factor and plasma fibrinogen concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 is a very strong risk factor for atherosclerosis. The final event of atherosclerosis is the vessels occlusion by platelet riche thrombus. Platelets adhesion and aggregation is mediated by interaction between platelets glycoproteins: GPIb-IX, GPIIb-IIIa and adhesive proteins: von Willebrand factor or fibrinogen. The expression of platelets GPIb-IX, GPIIb-IIIa, plasma vWF, fibrinogen concentrations were evaluated in 40 patients with diabetes type 2 (22 patients with PAOD stage II and IV according to Fontain, 18 diabetics without paod) and 32 healthy individuals. The expression of platelets glycoproteins GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb-IX was estimated by ELISA using monoclonal antibody against GPIIb-IIIa (CD41a) and GPIb-IX (CD 42a Immunotech). Plasma vWf (189.7 +/- 53.6%), fibrinogen (4.5 +/- +/- 1.3 g/l) level and expression of platelets GPIb-IX (63.2 +/- 19.6% in platelets concentration 125,000/mm3, 104.5 +/- 28.1% in platelets concentrations 250,000/mm3) and GPIIb-IIIa 50.8 +/- 10.1% in platelets concentrations 125,000/mm3, 95.3 +/- 21.3% in platelets concentrations 250,000/mm3 were statistically higher in patients with diabetes type 2 than in controls (vWf: 94.9 +/- 27.1%, fibrinogen: 2.8 +/- 0.4 g/l, GPIb-IX in platelets concentration 125,000/mm3: 43.8 +/- 9.3%, in concentration 250,000/mm3: 83.9 +/- 18.3%, GPIIb-IIIa in platelets concentration 125,000/mm3: 33.7 +/- 10.1%, in platelets concentration 250,000/mm3: 63.2 +/- 15.4%). We found significant correlation between the expression of GPIIb-IIIa, GPIb-IIIa, GPIb-IX and plasma adhesive proteins: vWF, fibrinogen in controls and both subgroups of diabetic patients. The correlation between plasma vWF and fibrinogen level and degree of arterial insufficiency in diabetic patients was also found. We can assume that higher vWf, fibrinogen plasma level in diabetic patients with and without PAOD could account for high expression of platelets GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb-IX.     

The influence of levamisol on the level of total protein in haemolymph of bees infected with Varroa destructor

The studies were performed in 1997 in bee colonies with carnica queens. Levamisol in dose 2,5 mg/l and 5 mg/l of sugar syrup was given to experimental group, while the control one was treated with the same dose of sugar syrup. From May to September, once a month, the segments of honeycombs containing 15-17 day brood were taken for farer housing. The level of total protein was investigated in the haemolymph of freshly hatched bee workers. It was found that levamisol given in sugar syrup did not caurse disturbances in the development of bee colonies, however, it was noticed that levamisol influenced on the rise of total protein level in haemolymph of bees and decrease of Varroa destructor infection.     

Tissue factor, tissue pathway factor inhibitor and risk factors of atherosclerosis in patients with chronic limbs ischemia: preliminary study

AIM: Thrombus formation plays a critical role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications in atherosclerotic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Tissue factor (TF) initiates the clotting cascade and is considered an important regulator of hemostasis and thrombosis. TF activity is regulated by TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI). The aim of our study was to evaluate plasma levels of the TF, TFPI and their relation to coagulation system and various other risk factors of atherosclerosis in patients with chronic limbs ischemia. METHODS: Plasma TF, total TFPI, truncated TFPI, full-length TFPI were assessed by ELISA using commercially available kits (IMUBIND Tissue Factor; Total TFPI; Truncated TFPI ELISA Kit; American Diagnostica Inc. Stamford) in 62 claudicant patients with PAOD and 20 healthy controls. RESULTS: We observed statistically higher levels of TF (94+/-52 pg/mL), total TFPI (43+/-8 ng/mL), and truncated TFPI (22+/-7 ng/mL) in patients with PAOD compared to healthy individuals (TF: 66+/-15 pg/mL; total TFPI: 36+/-4 ng/mL; truncated TFPI: 14+/-5 ng/mL). Full-length TFPI (20+/-4 ng/mL) is lower in patients with PAOD than in controls (23+/-5 ng/mL). The study indicated a positive correlation between TF and truncated TFPI (r=0.34), total TFPI and full TFPI (r=0.5), total TFPI and truncated TFPI (r=0.83) in patients with PAOD, and negative correlation between full TFPI and truncated TFPI (r=-0.65) in the control. CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of TF, disorders of balance between full-length TFPI and truncated TFPI as well as significantly increased truncated TFPI level in patients with PAOD can be independent risk factors of atherosclerotic complications.