Antithrombin for severe sepsis? Try it again, but without heparin!
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Bernd Jilma.
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BACKGROUND: Although controversial, the phenomenon of aspirin resistance (AR) has been correlated in some small studies with poor clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. Even less is known regarding the role of AR in the post stroke population. The reason for and the underlying mechanism of AR is unknown. We hypothesized that excessive formation of thrombin on the platelet surface may contribute to this phenomenon and assessed how dipyridamole affects multiple platelet and thrombin generation biomarkers in AR patients after ischemic stroke. METHODS: Whole blood samples from 20 post stroke AR patients were pretreated with dipyridamole, simulating the therapeutic range, and then incubated for 45 min at 37 degrees C. Platelet characteristics were assessed by aggregometry, cartridge-based analyzer, and receptor expression by flow cytometry. Markers of thrombin generation were measured in the autologous plasma by ELISA. RESULTS: Pretreatment of blood with dipyridamole resulted in 22-26% diminished expression of intact PAR-1 receptor (p=0.021 and p=0.024) and 28-31% decrease of annexin V binding (p=0.031 and p=0.02) after incubation with 2 microg/ml and 4 microg/ml of dipyridamole, respectively. Platelet aggregation and thrombin generation markers were not affected in vitro by dipyridamole. CONCLUSIONS: Dipyridamole may be capable of overcoming increased prothrombinase complex formation and be in part able to compensate for AR in patients with moderate carotid stenosis. This phenomenon may explain the clinical advantages of Aggrenox, known to reduce ischemic events in post stroke patients as proven in clinical trials, though an additional antithrombotic benefit beyond the platelet inhibition by aspirin alone.
OBJECTIVE: Primary aim: To evaluate the modulating effects of age and sex on changes in plasma lipid levels in the response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Secondary aim: To study insulin, leptin, adiponectin, E-selectin and P-selectin levels and their relation to demographics. DESIGN: Comparative, longitudinal, open cohort-study. SETTING: Tertiary care center at a University Hospital. METHODS: Eighty-two consecutive HIV-seropositive patients of either sex were enrolled in the study. Subjects were between 19 and 60 years of age and naive to HAART. Patients were treated with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and protease inhibitor(s) (PIs) or reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) only. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Total cholesterol levels increased in all patients. The greatest increase was seen in patients of older age treated with PI. Male gender was another risk factor for higher cholesterol but also for higher triglyceride levels. Therapy with protease inhibitors and/or stavudine had a negative influence on plasma triglyceride levels. Selectins, adipokines and insulin were less influenced by HAART. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study selection of therapy regimen according to the demographic risk factors sex and age can offer an easy strategy to help to minimize lipid elevations.
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Carefully controlled ZipTip extraction of diluted human plasma or serum was combined with MALDI-TOF-MS to produce highly reproducible protein profiles. Components detected included apolipoproteins CI, CII and CIII as well as transthyretin and several isoforms of each protein that are created by glycosylation or other modification and by proteolytic processing. Profiles of healthy individuals all contained the same 15 components. Others were found in plasma from individuals with disease. Profiles were analyzed by peak ratios within the same spectrum. Reproducibility for multiple assays was generally 4 to 10%. Within the healthy population, a given peak ratio occurred with a range of about fourfold. However, peak ratios of multiple samples from the same individual showed a much lower range, typically +/-10%. In fact, each individual displayed a personal protein profile that changed very little over time. Because of the stability of protein profiles over time within individuals, these results suggest further studies may discover that certain profile characteristics or changes in an individual's profile may be a sign of current or future disease, even when the altered profile remains within the range for healthy individuals.
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) performs a prominent role during sepsis. To examine the molecular regulation of IL-6, IL-6 receptor, and signaling receptor gp130 during endotoxemia, nine healthy young volunteers received a bolus injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on day 1 and saline on day 2 in a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. LPS enhanced IL-6 release 300-fold. IL-6 mRNA expression was not significantly altered in blood samples at any time after LPS infusion in vivo, while incubation of whole blood with 50 pg/ml LPS up-regulated IL-6 mRNA levels 8000- to 50,000-fold in vitro. LPS infusion increased synthesis of gp130 mRNA 5.5-fold compared to baseline at 4 h (P < 0.05), while no significant change was observed in the placebo period (P = 0.001 between groups). LPS increased the percentage of gp130 positive neutrophils gp130 700% over baseline at 8 h (P < 0.01 versus baseline and placebo). IL-6 receptor levels were not significantly altered by low-grade endotoxemia. In conclusion, endotoxemia up-regulates gp130 expression in vivo and in vitro. Quantification of IL-6 mRNA expression in circulating leukocytes is unlikely a suitable marker for monitoring of endotoxemia.
The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of the new solvent/detergent (S/D) formulation of an anti-D IgG preparation, and to evaluate gender differences. RhD-negative subjects (m/f=10/8) received a single i.m. injection of 250 microg anti-D (Partobulin SDF). There was a rapid increase in median anti-D titers over the first 2 days, followed by a plateau from days 2-7. Interestingly, women had a higher maximum concentration (Cmax) of anti-D and a lower volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) than men. The half-life calculated in this study was 23 days. Thus, results are comparable to published data of the non-S/D treated predecessor product. Because of the observed gender differences in the pharmacokinetics we recommend to pursue the evaluation of sex differences in the pharmacokinetics of other antibodies during early phase drug development.
BACKGROUND: Platelet (PLT) glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists have demonstrated efficacy in decreasing ischemic complications of percutaneous coronary intervention and/or unstable angina. In case of bleeding, the drug can be stopped and PLT transfusions can be given. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This crossover study tested the additive effects of PLT concentrates (PCs) after desmopressin (DDAVP) infusion in antagonizing the anti-PLT effects of GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors and aspirin. After eptifibatide and aspirin infusion (at standard dosages), 10 healthy volunteers received DDAVP or placebo. Thereafter, increasing amounts of PLTs from fresh single-donor apheresis concentrates were added in vitro to blood samples of all volunteers to increase PLT counts by 30 x 10(9), 60 x 10(9), or 120 x 10(9) per L. RESULTS: Adding platelets in vitro further improved PLT function after DDAVP: it shortened collagen-adenosine diphosphate closure times (p < 0.01), to normal ranges as measured by the PLT function analyzer (PFA-100). In contrast, normal PLT function could not be restored even when PLT counts were increased by 50 percent (120 x 10(9)/L) in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Combined use of PLTs from fresh apheresis PC and DDAVP additively enhances recovery of normal PLT function after eptifibatide infusion. Such a strategy may help to avoid excessive transfusion of PC.
Erythropoietin (Epo) is frequently administered to premature infants to stimulate erythropoiesis. There is evidence from studies in animals and healthy adults that Epo also interacts with thrombopoiesis and platelet function. This study investigates the effect of Epo therapy on platelet reactivity, peripheral platelet counts and thiazole orange-positive (TO+) platelets in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. In a randomised-controlled trial, ELBW infants with a birth weight < or =800 g and a gestational age < or =32 weeks were either randomised to a group receiving Epo during the first weeks of life or to a control group. Our results show that thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP-6) -induced expression of P-selectin increased significantly during the first two weeks of Epo treatment. With the exception of week five, the number of TO+ platelets was significantly higher during the first eight weeks in Epo-treated infants compared to controls. The increase of TO+ platelets was not paralleled by an increase in total platelet count. We can conclude that Epo therapy has a short-lasting effect on platelet reactivity toTRAP-6 in ELBW infants during the first two weeks of life. Furthermore, Epo therapy is associated with an increase in the number of TO+ platelets compared to controls.
Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is synthesized in endothelial cells, stored in the form of high molecular weight multimers and released after stimulation. After release, the multimers are cleaved by ADAMTS13 (von-Willebrand-factor-cleaving protease). We studied healthy volunteers in a double-blind, placebo controlled inflammation model. Ten male volunteers received 2 ng/kg endotoxin intravenously, and 5 volunteers placebo. Endotoxin infusion induced systemic inflammation and coagulation activation. After 4 hours the observed increase in neutrophils reached a maximum (273+/-34% of baseline; mean+/-SEM) and the platelet count dropped (81+/-2%). These parameters returned to baseline values after 24 hours. VWF antigen increased to 259+/-16% of baseline after 4 hours, remained elevated (192+/-15%) after 24 hours and returned to baseline after 7 days. Unusually large VWF multimers occurred in the plasma 4 hours after endotoxin infusion. ADAMTS13 activity (measured with a collagen-binding assay) decreased to 64+/-5% of baseline (P<0.001) after 4 hours, was still reduced after 24 hours (86+/- %; P=0.008) and returned to normal after 7 days. VWF multimer analysis showed pronounced satellite bands in the 4-hour samples, indicating cleavage of VWF by ADAMTS13. No apparent changes of the analyzed parameters were observed in the placebo group. The reciprocal course of ADAMTS13 and VWF after short-term VWF release induced by systemic inflammation is similar to that observed after induction of VWF release by desmopressin.
Although glucocorticoids are widely used in a number of inflammatory disorders associated with endothelial and platelet activation, their effect on the endothelium and platelets in humans remain poorly defined. Hence,we measured changes of a specific endothelial cell marker (von Willebrand factor [vWF]) and of a platelet marker (soluble P-selectin) by infusing therapeutic doses of dexamethasone (0.04 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg b.i.d on two days) or placebo into nine healthy men. Venous citrated plasma was obtained before infusion, and at 24 and 48 h. Compared to baseline levels, we found increased levels of vWF at both time points at the higher dose (p=0.011). Plasma levels of sP-selectin rose at 48 h after the high dose (p=0.017). Human umbilical endothelial cells were cultured in the presence or absence of dexamethasone (0, 0.01, 1 microM), to determine the possible mechanism for the increase in vWF. The vWF-mRNA levels as quantified by RT-PCR increased 2-fold (p<0.05), and the vWF-concentrations in cell lysates increased by 38% (p<0.05), whereas the vWF-concentrations in the supernatants were unaffected. In summary, high dose DEXA increases sP-selectin and vWF. The probable underlying mechanism for the latter was a DEXA induced up-regulation of vWF-mRNA transcription. Together, this indicates that high dose glucocorticoids may enhance haemostasis, which could be beneficial under certain conditions, but which may also contribute to adverse vascular events by increasing platelet activation and vWF dependent thrombosis.
The protein C pathway serves as a modulating system with both anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties and is intimately involved in the pathophysiology of inflammation and sepsis. Treatment with recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) can reduce the mortality of severe sepsis. We investigated whether an elevation of plasma protein C levels to supra-normal levels by infusion of a protein C zymogen concentrate has an effect on coagulation, protein C activation or inflammation in a human endotoxemia model. Eleven healthy male volunteers were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled two-way cross-over trial. Ten minutes after infusion of 2ng/kg endotoxin each volunteer received either placebo or a plasma-derived protein C zymogen concentrate (Ceprotin, Baxter) (150 U/kg as a slow bolus infusion followed by 30 U/kg/h continuous infusion until 4 hours after LPS-infusion). Protein C antigen and activity increased 4- to 5-fold after infusion of the concentrate. APC was generated during endotoxin-induced inflammation in the placebo (1.6 fold increase) and the protein C period (4.0-fold increase). The increase of APC levels correlated with the TNF-alpha and IL-6 release in both periods (r = 0.65-0.68; p < 0.05) and paralleled the protein C antigen and activity levels in the period with supranormal protein C levels. Supra normal protein C levels resulted in slightly, although non-significant, lower tissue factor mRNA expression and thrombin generation (TAT, F1+2). Systemic inflammation (TNF-alpha, IL-6) was not influenced by protein C zymogen concentrate administration. Infusion of protein C zymogen was safe and no adverse effects occurred. The increase of protein C levels several fold above the normal range resulted in a proportional increase of the APC levels, but had no major anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory or profibrinolytic effects. Low grade endotoxemia itself induces significant protein C activation, which correlates with the TNF release.
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Data show that carbon monoxide (CO) exerts direct antiinflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo after LPS challenge in a mouse model. We hypothesized that CO may act as an antiinflammatory agent in human endotoxemia. The aim of this trial was to study the effects of CO inhalation on cytokine production during experimental human endotoxemia. The main study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, two-way cross-over trial in healthy volunteers. Each volunteer inhaled synthetic air (as placebo) and 500 ppm CO for 1 hour in random order with a washout period of 6 weeks and received a 2-ng/kg intravenous bolus of LPS after inhalation. Carboxyhemoglobin levels were assessed as a safety parameter. CO inhalation increased carboxyhemoglobin levels from 1.2% (95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 1.4%) to peak values of 7.0% (95% confidence interval, 6.5 to 7.7%). LPS infusion transiently increased plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 (approximately 150-fold increases), and IL-8, as well as IL-1alpha and IL-1beta mRNA levels (an approximately 200-fold increase). These LPS-induced changes were not influenced by CO inhalation. Inhalation of 500 ppm CO for 1 hour had no antiinflammatory effects in a systemic inflammation model in humans, as 250 ppm for 1 hour did in rodents.
The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Ser128Arg in the E-selectin gene is overrepresented in certain patient groups with atherosclerosis or restenosis. We hypothesized and tested whether it may affect cytokine-induced levels of soluble (s) E-selectin, or be associated with proinflammatory or procoagulant properties in a well-standardized inflammation model. Healthy male volunteers (n = 157) received a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion and were genotyped for the S128R SNP, and outcome parameters were measured by enzyme immunoassays and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR, Taqman). The S128R SNP had no pronounced effects on basal or inducible sE-selectin levels, or levels of tumor necrosis factor or interleukin-6. However, carriers of the S128R SNP had 20% higher monocyte counts at 24 hours after LPS infusion. Importantly, the S128R allele enhanced thrombin generation by 50% to 80%, as measured by prothrombin fragment F(1+2) (P < .01), and hence fibrin formation (D-dimer) 2-fold (P = .01 to P = .002). However, tissue factor (TF) mRNA levels were not affected. The S128R E-selectin genotype is associated with procoagulant effects in a human model of endotoxin-induced, TF-triggered coagulation. This could contribute to its linkage with various thrombotic cardiovascular disorders.
The European Stroke Prevention Study showed greater stroke prevention for Aggrenox than either for aspirin or dipyridamole alone. To test whether Aggrenox has superior antiplatelet properties to aspirin alone we conducted the AGgrenox versus Aspirin Therapy Evaluation (AGATE) trial. Forty patients with prior ischemic stroke not taking aspirin for at least 30 days were randomized to Aggrenox (2 pills/daily) or aspirin (81 mg plus matching placebo/daily) for 30 days. Platelet function was assessed at baseline, 24 h, and days 3, 7, 15, and 30 by aggregometry, flow cytometry and cartridge-based analyzers. Both Aggrenox and aspirin provided fast and sustained platelet inhibition. Aggrenox(R), however, especially after 15 days, showed significant prolongation of the closure time (P=0.04), diminished expression of platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) (P=0.01), glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb) antigen (P=0.02), and GPIIb/IIIa activity (P=0.01) by PAC-1 C antibody, CD63 (P=0.03), as well as inhibition of Protease Activated Receptors (PAR-1) associated with intact (SPAN12, P=0.01) and cleaved (WEDE15, P=0.01) thrombin receptors as compared with aspirin. Surprisingly, GPIb expression increased, especially after aspirin. In the randomized trial of small sample size, aspirin and Aggrenox produced fast and sustained platelet inhibition. In 25 of 90 direct comparisons, Aggrenox was superior to aspirin, whereas in 4 of 90, aspirin was superior to Aggrenox. In 61 of 90 direct comparisons, aspirin and Aggrenox were equivalent. Aggrenox was associated with a profound reduction of PAR-1 receptors, an observation that may be related to the greater clinical benefit of Aggrenox compared with Aspirin in preventing recurrent stroke.
BACKGROUND: Platelet activation is a hallmark of acute coronary syndromes. Numerous lines of evidence suggest a mechanistic link between von Willebrand factor or platelet hyperfunction and myocardial damage in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Thus, we assessed whether platelet function under high shear rates (collagen adenosine diphosphate closure times [CADP-CTs]) measured with the platelet function analyzer (PFA-100) may be enhanced in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and whether it may predict the extent of myocardial damage as measured by creatine kinase (CK-MB) or troponin T (TnT) levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with acute chest pain or symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndromes (n=216) were prospectively examined at an emergency department. CADP-CT was significantly shorter in patients with MI, particularly in those with an ST-segment-elevation MI (STEMI) compared with the other patient groups (unstable angina, stable coronary artery disease, or controls). Furthermore, CADP-CT and collagen epinephrine-CT at presentation were independent predictors of myocardial damage as measured by CK-MB or TnT. Patients with MI whose CADP-CT values fell in the first quartile had 3-fold higher CK-MB and TnT levels than those in the fourth quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with STEMI have significantly enhanced platelet function when measured under high shear rates. CADP-CT is an independent predictor of the severity of MI, as measured by markers of cardiac necrosis. Measurement of platelet function with the PFA-100 may help in the risk stratification of patients presenting with MI.
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