Arachidonic acid-stimulated platelet tests: Identification of patients less sensitive to aspirin treatment

Serum thromboxane-B2 (TxB2), together with arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation, are, at the moment, the most used tests to identify patients displaying high on-aspirin treatment platelet reactivity (HAPR). Both tests are specific for aspirin action on cyclooxygenase-1. While the correlation between serum TxB2 assay and clinical outcome is established, data are conflicting with regard to aspirin treatment and a possible association with AA-stimulated platelet markers and clinical outcome. To understand such discrepancy, we performed a retrospective study to compare both assays. We collected data from 132 patients receiving a daily dose of aspirin (100?mg/day) and data from 48 patients receiving aspirin on alternate days. All Patients who received a daily dose of aspirin were studied for AA-induced platelet aggregation together with serum TxB2 levels and AA-induced TxB2 formation was also studied in 71 patients out of entire population. Consistent with recommendations in the literature, we defined HAPR by setting a cut-off point at 3.1?ng/ml for serum levels of thromboxane B2 and 20% for AA-induced platelet aggregation. According to this cut-off point, we divided our overall population into two groups: (1) TxB2?<?3.1?ng/ml and (2) TxB2?>?3.1?ng/ml. We found low agreement between such tests to identify patients displaying HAPR. Our results show that AA-induced platelet aggregation >20% identify a smaller number of HAPR patients in comparison with TxB2. A good correlation between serum TxB2 and arachidonic acid-induced TxB2 production was found (r?=?0.76619).     

Modeling in Frequency Domain Used for Assessment of In Vivo Dissolution Profile

Purpose. To present a model-dependent approach for the assessment of the in vivo drug dissolution profile based on in vitrodata for the multiple unit dosage form, as an alternative to the numerical method proposed in the study by Hayashi et al, Pharm. Res. 12:1333–1337 (1995). Methods. The data for aspirin granules administered to healthy subjects obtained in the above mentioned study were re-evaluated. The subject dissolution system was considered to consist of two subsystems connected in series, i.e. the subsystem describing the gastric-emptying process and the subsystem describing the intestinal dissolution process. The frequency response method was used to model the subject dissolution system. Results. The model in vivodissolution profile of aspirin, assessed as the integral of the model weighting function of the subject dissolution system, was in agreement with the in vivo cumulative absorption profile calculated by the Wagner-Nelson method. Conclusions. Comparison of dynamic properties of the subject dissolution system with the subsystem describing the gastric-emptying process yielded quantitative confirmation of the decisive role of the gastric-emptying process in the in vivodrug dissolution after administration in the multi unit dosage form.     

Statins, fenofibrate, and quinapril increase clot permeability and enhance fibrinolysis in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Aspirin increases fibrin clot porosity and susceptibility to lysis. It is unknown whether other drugs, in combination with aspirin, used in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) might affect clot structure and resistance to lysis. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of statins, fibrates, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) on fibrin clot properties. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a randomized double-blind study, men with advanced CAD taking low-dose aspirin were assigned to receive one of the four drugs: simvastatin 40 mg day(-1) (n = 13), atorvastatin 40 mg day(-1) (n = 12), fenofibrate 160 mg day(-1) (n = 12), and quinapril 10 mg day(-1) (n = 11) for 28 +/- 2 days. Moreover, CAD patients (n = 13) taking aspirin (75 mg day(-1)) for 8 weeks were studied after additional 4 weeks on an open-label basis. Thirty men served as healthy controls. Plasma clot permeability and tissue plasminogen activator-induced fibrinolysis were evaluated at baseline and after drug administration. RESULTS: Permeability increased following the administration of simvastatin (by 20%; P = 0.01), atorvastatin (by 22%; P = 0.001), fenofibrate (by 16%; P = 0.02), and quinapril (by 13%; P = 0.04) like for aspirin (P < 0.001). Turbidity analysis showed that administration of any of the drugs was associated with higher maximum absorbancy, suggesting thicker fibers, and shorter fibrinolysis time (P < 0.001). Post-treatment reduction in lysis time correlated with an increase in clot porosity in all the groups (r from 0.42 to 0.61; P from 0.01 to 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Statins, fibrates, and ACEIs may increase plasma clot permeability and susceptibility to fibrinolysis in CAD patients receiving aspirin. This novel antithrombotic mechanism might contribute to clinical benefits of the drugs tested.     

降糖益肾方合二甲双瓜治疗2型糖尿病50例

目的:观察中药降糖益肾方合二甲双胍片治疗2型糖尿病的临床疗效.方法:治疗组50例口服降糖益肾方、二甲双胍片.对照组45例口服二甲双胍片.两组均连续用药3个月,监测两组治疗前后空腹及餐后2h血糖(FPG、PG2h)、空腹胰岛素(Fins)血脂(TC、TG)及血液流变学指标变化,并计算胰岛素敏感指数(IAI).结果:治疗组临床症状改善、FPG、PG2h、Fins、TC、TG以及血浆粘比度、红细胞压积、纤维蛋白原与对照组比较明显降低,IAI明显提高(P＜0.01、P＜0.05).结论:中药降糖益肾方合二甲双胍片治疗2型糖尿病疗效确切.     

Platelet function in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) predicts recurrent ACS

BACKGROUND: Platelet hyperfunction contributes to acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Thus, we hypothesized that platelet function under high shear stress predicts recurrent ACS during long-term follow-up of ACS patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive ACS patients (n = 208) were prospectively followed-up for an average of 28 months. Platelet function was measured with the platelet function analyzer (PFA-100; Dade Behring, Marburg, Germany) at baseline for collagen/adenosine diphosphate closure times (CADP-CT) and for collagen/epinephrine closure times (CEPI-CT) after infusion of a uniform dose of 250 mg aspirin. RESULTS: Of the conventional risk factors, only the prevalence of diabetes was higher in ACS patients with re-events. However, use of clopidogrel and use of beta blockers were also slightly lower in patients with re-events (P < 0.05). The unadjusted risk hazard ratio (HR) for re-events was 3.3 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.4-7.4; P = 0.005] in those patients with the shortest CADP-CT values (lowest quartile). Similarly, the risk was 2.0-fold higher (95% CI: 1.1-3.6; P = 0.02) in ACS patients with CEPI-CT < 300 s as compared with CEPI-CT >or = 300 s. Inclusion of diabetes, clopidogrel and beta blockers in a multivariate Cox regression model enhanced the predictive value of CEPI-CT (HR: 2.7). Inclusion of von Willebrand factor levels did not alter the HR for recurrent ACS (HR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-5.2; P = 0.03) for CEPI-CT < 300 s, but reduced the HR for CADP-CT (HR: 2.8, 95% CI: 0.8-9.8; P = 0.11). CONCLUSION: Shortened CT values reflect biologically relevant platelet hyperfunction in patients with ACS because they predict recurrent ACS.     

小剂量阿司匹林对缺血性脑血管病患者血小板聚集功能的影响

目的 :观察小剂量阿司匹林 (ASA)对ICVD患者血小板聚集功能的影响。方法 :用花生四烯酸 (AA ,5 0 0 μmol·L-1)、二磷酸腺苷 (ADP ,5 μmol·L-1)、肾上腺素 (EPN ,5 μmol·L-1)和胶原 (COL ,2 μg·mL-1)做诱导剂检测ICVD患者服用不同剂量ASA组 ( 2 5、5 0和10 0mg·d-1)的血小板聚集率。结果 :各ASA组对AA、COL诱导聚集的变异系数较大。对AA诱导聚集无显著抑制者的比例分别为2 5mg·d-1组 44 4%、5 0mg·d-1组 2 9 6%、10 0mg·d-1组 2 9% ,其中 5 0mg·d-1组中合并糖尿病的例数较显著抑制者中多。结论 :ICVD患者中小剂量ASA作用个体差异较大 ,部分与自身危险因素有关。提示临床中ASA的效果需要实验室检测并应个体化     

小剂量阿斯匹林辅助促排卵过程中对子宫血流及内膜厚度的影响

目的　探讨小剂量阿斯匹林在促排卵过程中对子宫血流及内膜厚度的影响及其作用机理。方法　采用前瞻性随机双盲的方法 ,对不明原因的不孕妇女在克罗米酚 (CC)促排卵治疗同时 ,自月经第 1～ 2 0d连续服用小剂量阿斯匹林 ,75mg/d。 结果　试验组子宫动脉血流阻力指数 (RI)明显低于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,子宫内膜厚度明显较对照组厚 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　小剂量阿斯匹林可增加子宫血流供应 ,从而改善促排卵治疗时CC所致的子宫内膜发育不良     

Immunology: High fecundity rates following in- vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in antiphospholipid antibody seropositive women treated with heparin and aspirin

This study was undertaken to explore whether intervention withheparin and aspirin (H/A) in selected patients undergoing in-vitrofertilization (TVF) and embryo transfer could improve fecundityrates. Specifically, it explored the possibility that womendiagnosed with organic pelvic disease who demonstrated antiphospholipidantibodies (APA) could benefit from H/A administration in asimilar manner to that used in patients with recurrent pregnancyloss. We used an enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay forsix different phospholipids to identify patients who expressedAPA before they underwent IVF/embryo transfer. This study wasconfined to the first IVF/embryo transfer cycle that followedassessment of APA status and accordingly, the number of IVF/embryotransfer cycles corresponds with the number of patients treated.APA seropositive patients were treated with aspirin, 81 mg orallyq.d., and heparin 5000 IU s.c. b.i.d., beginning on day 1 ofcontrolled ovarian stimulation. The endpoint for success wasa live birth or an ultrasound confirming fetal cardiac activity(a viable pregnancy). The prevalence of APA in patients diagnosedwith organic pelvic disease (53%) was much higher than in thosewithout female pathology (14%). The administration of H/A toAPA seropositive patients significantly (P < 0.05) improvedthe viable pregnancy rate (49%) compared to the untreated APAseropositive group (16%). The viable pregnancy rate for APAseropositive women treated with H/A was also significantly (P< 0.001) higher than for untreated APA seronegative patients(27%). We conclude that all women undergoing IVF/embryo transfershould be tested for APA prior to initiating ovarian stimulation,and those with APA seropositivity should be treated with H/A.     

麦考酚酸酯及其临床应用进展

目的:麦考酚酸酯(MMF)是一种新型的免疫抑制剂.在临床应用中,MMF的使用也越来越广泛,已不仅仅局限于器官移植,还涉及到系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)、自体免疫风湿性疾病的治疗,以及在糖尿病,肺部血管高压的辅助治疗等诸多方面.肠包衣麦考酚酸钠,是一种新的可抵抗胃溶作用的麦考酚酸肠包衣剂型,药物在肠内释放,可以降低胃肠道(GI)不良反应的发生.     

阿司匹林对大鼠脊髓损伤细胞凋亡的保护作用

目的 观察阿司匹林对大鼠慢性压迫性脊髓损伤后神经细胞凋亡及神经功能恢复的影响。方法选择65只体重为220～250g的Wistar大鼠（雌雄不限），于T10部位置入后路渐进式压迫装置，制作成慢性压迫性脊髓损伤模型。随机分为阿司匹林治疗组（A组，30只）、生理盐水对照组（B组，30只）和假手术组（C组，5只）。应用原位末端脱氧核糖核苷酸转移酶介导dUTP标记技术，分别于慢性压迫性脊髓损伤后1、3、7、14、28d做行为学评价，并取材对脊髓损伤区进行细胞凋亡检测。结果A、B组均发现细胞凋亡，A组与B组细胞凋亡率相比差异有显著性（P〈0．05），A组与B组行为学评价相比差异有显著性（P〈0．05），神经细胞凋亡情况与运动功能改变具有相关性。结论 阿司匹林对慢性脊髓压迫损伤后所导致的神经细胞凋亡产生抑制作用。