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Maternal circulation in the first-trimester human placenta--myth or reality?

The classic theory of development of the uteroplacental and intervillous circulation determined that maternal blood enters the intervillous space in high-pressure streams from the early first trimester. This theory has recently been challenged and our hypothesis to be presented is that the intervillous circulation is not fully established until the end of the first trimester. Ex vivo studies of hysterectomy specimens have demonstrated that trophoblastic plugs obstruct blood flow into the intervillous space in early pregnancy and only at 12 to 13 weeks do these plugs become loose and allow for continuous maternal blood flow into the intervillous space. This concept is supported by many other experimental findings. In complicated early pregnancies the uteroplacental circulation demonstrates flow characteristics that are strikingly different from those of normal early pregnancies. In abnormal pregnancies increased flow within the intervillous space is demonstrated by color Doppler imaging. Our hypothesis supports other studies that have shown that the embryo favors an environment low in oxygen during early development and that oxygen levels in placental tissue are low in the early first trimester. The classic drawing of placental circulations is based on second- and third-trimester studies, and its applicability to the early first trimester should be revisited because we will show that new data support the hypothesis that the development of the early intervillous circulation is a progressive phenomenon.

Chorionic Villi↗

Cavopulmonary assist: circulatory support for the univentricular Fontan circulation.

BACKGROUND: Following Fontan palliation, the univentricular circulation is notable for coexisting systemic venous hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypotension. Assisted cavopulmonary blood flow to overcome this pressure gradient would restore the circulation to one more closely resembling normal two-ventricle physiology. We hypothesized that mechanical augmentation of cavopulmonary blood flow would provide physiologic stability in a model of cavopulmonary diversion and univentricular circulation. METHODS: Yearling sheep (n = 13, mean weight 56.5 kg) underwent total cavopulmonary diversion on cardiopulmonary bypass. The superior and inferior vena cavae were anastomosed directly to the right pulmonary artery. Axial flow pumps were positioned within both vena cavae to assist blood flow from the systemic venous circulation into the pulmonary vasculature. Baseline ventilation was resumed, cardiopulmonary bypass was weaned, and pump support was titrated to obtain normal physiologic measurement. Cardiopulmonary data were collected for 6 hours. RESULTS: All animals demonstrated hemodynamic stability without need for volume loading, inotropic support, or pulmonary vasodilator therapy. Cardiac output, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary arterial pressure, inferior vena caval pressure, and arterial pCO(2) and pO(2) values 6 hours after intervention were similar to baseline values. Arterial lactate levels steadily decreased throughout the cavopulmonary assist period. CONCLUSIONS: Cavopulmonary assist with a percutaneous pump provides physiologic stability in a model of total cavopulmonary diversion and univentricular Fontan circulation without altering regional volume distribution or cardiac output. This mode of circulatory support may have potential to benefit patients with marginal Fontan hemodynamics in both the early and late time periods.

Animals↗

Pharmacologic platelet anesthesia by glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex antagonist and argatroban during in vitro extracorporeal circulation.

OBJECTIVE: Contact between blood and the synthetic surfaces of a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit leads to platelet activation, and resultant platelet dysfunction contributes to postoperative bleeding. We compared the effects of various platelet inhibitors on preservation of platelet function during simulated cardiopulmonary bypass circulation. METHODS: Fresh human blood was recirculated in an in vitro cardiopulmonary bypass model circuit. We measured various platelet activation markers including expressions of PAC-1 and P-selectin, annexin V binding, and microparticle formations by means of whole-blood flow cytometry. RESULTS: Two types of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex antagonists, peptide-mimetic FK633 and abciximab and prostaglandin E(1), significantly prevented platelet loss and the increase in binding of PAC-1, an antibody specific for fibrinogen receptor on activated platelets, during extracorporeal circulation of heparinized blood. These antagonists significantly suppressed but did not abolish P-selectin expression, annexin V binding, and microparticle formation. Anti-von Willebrand factor monoclonal antibody and aurin tricarboxylic acid (an inhibitor of glycoprotein Ib) had no effect on platelet activation during simulated cardiopulmonary bypass circulation. These data suggest that inhibition of fibrinogen binding glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex is partly effective in attenuating platelet activation in a heparinized cardiopulmonary bypass model circuit. The direct thrombin inhibitor argatroban prevented platelet loss and expression of P-selectin significantly more than did heparin. A combination of FK633 with argatroban as a substitute for heparin further prevented platelet loss and platelet secretion during simulated cardiopulmonary bypass circulation, although the inhibition of microparticle formation was less. CONCLUSION: The inhibition of both platelet adhesion and thrombin may be effective to preserve platelet number and function during cardiopulmonary bypass circulation.

Abciximab↗

Activation of circulating platelets in patients with peripheral arterial disease during digital subtraction angiography and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Platelet activation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease (CHD), peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and cerebral ischaemia, the three main clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis. Circulating-activated platelets are thought to trigger ischaemic complications after angiography, angioplasty and vascular surgery. We studied activation of circulating thrombocytes in patients with PAD and evaluated the influence on platelet activation of intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the area of the lower extremities. Our study included 16 control subjects with PAD (clinical stage IIb according to Fontaine), 25 healthy control subjects and 34 PAD patients (clinical stage IIb according to Fontaine), 14 of whom we examined during DSA, 10 during PTA and 10 which we studied during both interventions. To characterize platelet ex vivo activation, the expression of activation-dependent platelet antigens (CD62 and CD63) was measured using flow cytometry. Platelet sensitization was analysed by an additional in vitro activation. Our results show that angioplasty in peripheral vessels causes activation and presumably slight migration or a reduction in the life span of circulating thrombocytes immediately after the PTA procedure and up to 4 h afterwards. DSA was also found to be associated with platelet activation, sensitization and presumptive minor migration or shortened life span of circulating platelets. Immediately after the intervention, PTA seems to influence platelet migration or shortened lifetime of platelets to a greater extent than DSA. We postulate that this is mainly induced by dilatation. More activated and sensitized thrombocytes circulated in patients with PAD compared to healthy control subjects. This supports our assumption that preactivated platelets are particularly involved in activation, sensitization and migration processes or affected by a reduced life span.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

Effects of extracorporeal circulation and heparin on the phenotype of platelet surface antigens following heart surgery.

In this prospective study, the time-dependent effects of extracorporeal circulation and heparin-mediated effects on platelet surface antigens in vitro were investigated using whole blood flow cytometry. Blood samples were drawn prior to and following extracorporeal circulation in 89 patients. The response of surface antigen expression (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, P-selectin, and glycoprotein Ib) with and without in vitro stimulation was measured. A significant correlation of the duration of extracorporeal circulation with the postoperative response of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, glycoprotein Ib, and P-selectin to in vitro activation was found. Postoperative P-selectin and glycoprotein Ib expression stimulated with ADP correlated to blood loss. Heparin in vitro significantly reduced glycoprotein Ib expression. Heparin, as well as the duration of extracorporeal circulation, independently correlated to phenotypic changes of platelets following extracorporeal circulation. The significant correlation of these variables to postoperative blood loss demonstrates their relevance to platelet function in vivo.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Adaptive changes of hepatic bile salt transport in a model of reversible interruption of the enterohepatic circulation in the rat.

The reversibility and time course of the adaptive changes in hepatic bile salt transport related to modifications of the bile salt enterohepatic circulation and bile salt pool size have not been previously studied. For this reason a model of reversible interruption of entero-hepatic circulation was characterized in unrestrained rats, which allowed the study of changes in hepatic bile salt transport following bile salt pool depletion and subsequent restoration by either the de novo synthesis of bile acids or i.v. administration of exogenous taurocholate. Rats subjected to biliary drainage for 24 h through a transduodenal common bile duct cannula, followed by removal of the cannula and restoration of the enterohepatic circulation were studied at 24, 48 and 72 h. Neither light and electron microscopy examination nor plasma biochemical parameters showed evidence of necrosis, fibrosis, cholestasis or inflammatory changes. Maximum taurocholate secretory rate decreased to 50% following 24-h bile salt depletion. After restoration of the enterohepatic circulation maximum taurocholate secretory rate progressively increased to normal values at 72 h, following the normalization of the bile salt pool size, which had a similar composition compared with controls. The same effect was obtained when the native bile salt pool was substituted with exogenous taurocholate. Thus, adaptive down-regulation of hepatic bile salt transport capacity is a reversible process, related to restoration of entero-hepatic circulation and normalization of bile salt pool size.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Influence of collateral circulation on in-hospital death from anterior acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to study whether the in-hospital prognosis of anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is influenced by preexistent collateral circulation to the infarct-related artery. BACKGROUND: Collateral circulation exerts beneficial influences on the clinical course after AMI, but demonstration of improved survival is lacking. METHODS: We studied 238 consecutive patients with anterior AMI treated by primary angioplasty within the first 6 h of the onset of symptoms. Fifty-eight patients with basal Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow >1 in the infarct-related artery or with inadequate documentation of collateral circulation were excluded. Collateral channels to the infarct-related artery before angioplasty were angiographically assessed, establishing two groups: 115 patients (64%) without collateral vessels (group A) and 65 patients (36%) with collateral vessels (group B). RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline characteristics between groups A and B, except for the greater prevalence of previous angina in group B (15% vs. 34%, p = 0.003). During the hospital stay, 26 patients (23%) in group A and 5 (8%) in group B died (p = 0.01). Cardiogenic shock accounted for 74% of deaths. Cardiogenic shock developed in 30 patients (26%) in group A and in 4 (6%) in group B (p = 0.001). The absence of collateral circulation appeared to be an independent predictor of in-hospital death (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 9.6, p = 0.02) and cardiogenic shock (odds ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 1.9 to 17, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Preexistent collateral circulation decreases in-hospital death from anterior AMI by reducing the incidence of cardiogenic shock.

Adult↗

Heterogeneity of renal cortical circulation in hypertension assessed by dynamic computed tomography.

The aim of this study was to assess the grade of heterogeneous disturbance in the renal cortical circulation using dynamic computed tomography and to investigate the relationship between the heterogeneity of renal cortical circulation and hypertension. We studied 125 patients who underwent dynamic computed tomography (CT) for various abdominal diseases and had no serious hemodynamic abnormalities. In dynamic computed tomography under appropriate conditions, each pixel (image element), less than 1 mm2, has a CT number that is in proportion to the concentration of contrast media, which reflects the blood volume in the pixel. The image was constructed at the hilus level about 50 s after the start of a continuous infusion of contrast medium. The mean and standard deviation were calculated from the CT numbers in the renal cortex. The coefficient of variation, ie, the standard deviation divided by the mean value, was used as the index of the heterogeneity of renal cortical circulation. The coefficient of variation was significantly (P < .001) greater in the hypertensive patients (n = 48, 0.174 +/- 0.006 [mean +/- SE]) than in normotensive subjects (n = 77, 0.140 +/- 0.004). The coefficient increased in parallel with the patient's age and with the grade of renal surface irregularity. In the patients whose serum creatinine levels were normal, this parameter also had a significant relationship (r = 0.367, P < .0001) with serum creatinine. These results suggest that the heterogeneity of renal cortical circulation is increased in hypertension and is also associated with aging. This parameter may become a sensitive indicator to detect slight deterioration in the renal cortical circulation.

Adult↗

Circulating IGF2BP3 enables risk stratification and predicts treatment response in Ewing sarcoma.

Ewing sarcoma (EWS), the second most common pediatric bone tumor, presents with a markedly heterogeneous clinical spectrum and optimal risk stratification is therefore crucial for improving treatment outcomes. The RNA-binding protein IGF2BP3 is a critical oncogenic driver of EWS malignancy. This study evaluates the clinical utility of circulating IGF2BP3 as a biomarker to predict treatment response and risk of disease progression in patients with EWS. Plasma samples from 60 patients with EWS diagnosed and treated at the IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute (Bologna, Italy) were collected at diagnosis before treatment initiation and/or after induction chemotherapy. For 51 of these patients, blood was collected at diagnosis, prior to any treatments. For 25 patients, blood samples were available at diagnosis and before surgical intervention, allowing longitudinal analysis in the same patient. For 9 patients, blood was collected only after preoperative chemotherapy, before surgical intervention. Circulating IGF2BP3 levels were quantified using a highly specific and sensitive ELISA assay. Plasma samples from healthy donors served as controls. IGF2BP3 plasma levels were correlated with IGF2BP3 tumor tissue expression, established clinical risk factors, and cumulative incidence of relapse using univariable and multivariable analyses. Plasma IGF2BP3 levels were significantly elevated in patients with EWS compared with healthy controls, with a subset of patients (22/51, 43.2%) exhibiting clinically relevant concentrations. Circulating IGF2BP3 levels reflected tumor expression of the molecule and provided additional prognostic information beyond standard clinicopathologic features. The prognostic impact of circulating IGF2BP3 was primarily observed in patients with localized disease, in whom elevated levels were identified as a significant adverse prognostic factor for disease-specific survival (hazard ratio, 10.63; 95% CI, 1.27-88.62; P = 0.029). Longitudinal monitoring demonstrated that persistence of IGF2BP3 in plasma after induction chemotherapy was a strong predictor of poor clinical outcomes. Circulating IGF2BP3 represents a valuable biomarker for early risk stratification in EWS, particularly in patients with localized disease. Although this is single-marker assay, the expression of the molecule may impact on the fate of many mRNAs. We present an accurate, simple, cost-effective and easy clinical applicable tool to support risk-adapted therapeutic interventions. The limited number of employed patients warrants the need of larger cohorts for validation.

Humans↗

Contribution of blood and systemic circulation to the processing of pro-(atrial natriuretic factor).

Atrial natriuretic factor-(Asn1-Tyr126)-peptide, the 13.6 kDa propeptide of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), is stored in the secretory granules of atrial cardiocytes. ANF-(Ser99-Tyr126)-peptide, the 28-amino-acid species, is the circulating form of this hormone in the rat. As the site of maturation of the prohormone is still unknown, the present study was undertaken to understand the contribution of the circulation to the maturation process of pro-ANF. 125I-ANF-(Asn1-Tyr126)-peptide was incubated with whole rat blood, plasma or serum for different time intervals, and the products were analysed. There was minimal activation of the propeptide in either whole blood or plasma. Incubation with serum, however, resulted in the formation of an 11 kDa and a 3 kDa peptide which corresponded respectively to the N-terminal and C-terminal parts of the propeptide. These results suggest that hydrolysis of the propeptide in serum is brought about by enzymes that may be stimulated during coagulation but which may not play a major role in the activation of pro-ANF in the circulation. Plasma analysis at different time intervals after prohormone injection indicated a non-specific hydrolysis of the pro-ANF molecule. The disappearance rate curves, obtained with radiolabelled pro-ANF, suggested the presence of two components with half-lives of 2.1 +/- 0.4 min and 52.5 +/- 8.4 min respectively. A metabolic clearance rate of 1.49 +/- 0.22 ml/min and an initial distribution volume of 47.4 +/- 8 ml were calculated. These results indicate that the maturation of pro-ANF to its active circulating form takes place before it is released into the circulation.

Animals↗

The relationship between gastric cancer cells circulating in the blood and microsatellite instability positive gastric carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Cancers characterized by microsatellite instability may be biologically different from their counterparts with stable microsatellite sequences. Circulating cancers cell present in blood prior to surgery may constitute an adverse prognostic finding. AIM: To correlate these two phenomena with morphological features and survival in advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: We examined 76 cases of resected sporadic, advanced gastric cancer by means of routine morphology and a panel of microsatellite markers. Sixty-six cases were screened for presence of cancer cells circulating in blood prior to the surgery using combined morphological and immunocytochemical approach. RESULTS: Twenty-one (27.6%) cases demonstrated microsatellite instability in at least one locus. Among them 11 (14.5%) showed microsatellite instability in more than 30% (4/12) examined loci, and they were therefore designated as replication error positive (RER+). Circulating cancer cells were detected in 2/19 microsatellite instability and in 11/47 remaining cases (difference not significant). The survival of the microsatellite instability cases was significantly better. The presence of circulating cancer cells did not correlate with survival. CONCLUSION: It is possible that the microsatellite instability status, but not circulating cancer cells, constitutes a prognostic predictive factor in advanced gastric carcinoma. Confirmation of this hypothesis requires continuation of patient follow-up.

Adult↗

Review article: the 'mechanical pumps' and the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids--defects in coeliac disease.

Bile acid pool size is maintained relatively constant at about 3-5 g in healthy subjects by two mechanisms, enterohepatic circulation and de novo synthesis of bile acids. This latter mechanism compensates for the daily faecal loss (about 0.2-0.6 g) of bile acids, whereas the bulk of the pool is conserved by the former mechanism. The driving forces of the enterohepatic circulation are constituted by chemical pumps, including intestinal absorption and hepatic uptake, and by mechanical pumps, including gall-bladder and intestinal motility. The latter provide the main propulsive forces for bile acids to reach the site of intestinal absorption, and by contrast with the very rapid chemical pumps, mechanical pumps have storage capacity for the bile acid pool and therefore comprise the slow limb of the enterohepatic circulation. In coeliac disease, a disease classically described as a malabsorption syndrome associated with mucosal atrophy of the small intestine, both gall-bladder and small intestinal motor functions are impaired, and in this article we review the mechanisms involved in these defects, how they influence the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, and the evidence supporting the concept that both the gall-bladder and the small intestinal motor functions represent the main factors affecting the kinetics of the enterohepatic circulation.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Rapid response of circulating myeloid dendritic cells to inhaled allergen in asthmatic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DC) are thought to play a key role in the initiation and maintenance of T cell immunity to inhaled antigens. While the density of DC within the bronchial mucosa is increased in stable asthma, there is little information currently available concerning the effects of allergen inhalation on DC in subjects with asthma. OBJECTIVES: To enumerate changes in the numbers of circulating CD33(+) myeloid DC in asthmatics, before and after allergen challenge. METHODS: Blood DC numbers were enumerated by flow cytometry before and at 3, 6 and 24 h after inhaled allergen and diluent in 10 mild, allergic asthmatic subjects. RESULTS: Blood DC numbers rapidly fell from 3.42 +/- 0.30 x 10(7)/L at baseline, to 2.10 +/- 0.17 x 10(7)/L by 3 h post-challenge (P < 0.01), and remained significantly below baseline values at both 6 and 24 h following allergen challenge. No such changes in DC numbers were noted after diluent challenge. A similar, early fall in circulating lymphocytes was also noted post-allergen challenge, whereas changes in circulating eosinophil and neutrophil numbers occurred more slowly. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of myeloid DC rapidly 'disappear' from the circulation following allergen inhalation, suggesting that margination of circulating myeloid DC, and their recruitment into the airway mucosa, is an important feature of the immune response to inhaled allergen.

Administration, Inhalation↗

A fractal approach for evaluation of pulmonary circulation in man at rest and during exercise.

Changes in pulmonary circulation caused by muscular exercise and body position are usual in daily life. By using first-pass radiocardiography and fractal analysis, pulmonary circulation in man was evaluated at rest and during muscular exercise. At rest, pulmonary circulation was heterogeneous as described by the relative dispersion (which is the coefficient of variation, i.e. the standard deviation of the pulmonary transit times divided by the mean transit time; RD = 0.51 +/- 0.06) and fractal in nature. During exercise, pulmonary circulation became more homogeneous (RD = 0.35 +/- 0.04; P < 0.001). The calculated fractal dimension decreases from 1.09 at rest to 1.06 during exercise. The model identifies a cubic-law response for circulation heterogeneity and a quarter-power law for resistance during muscular exercise.

Adult↗

The effects of heparin and extracorporeal circulation on platelet counts and platelet microaggregation during cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with platelet activation and reduced platelet counts. Platelet activation may artifactually lower platelet counts by causing aggregation. In vivo platelet activation may increase existent platelet microaggregation ex vivo. We studied platelet counts and existent platelet microaggregation at different stages of cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Twenty-one patients were studied before and after heparinization (300 U. kg(-1)) and at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass. Unaggregated (or single) platelets were counted in hirudin-anticoagulated blood, and total platelets were counted in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-anticoagulated blood. RESULTS: The total platelet count, 198 +/- 61 x 10(9). L(-1), was unaffected by heparin and stayed at 197 +/- 60 x 10(9). L(-1) (P =.7) but fell during extracorporeal circulation; the hemodilution-corrected count was 163 +/- 52 x 10(9). L(-1) (P =.0004). Heparinization reduced the unaggregated platelet count from (mean +/- 1 SD) 178 +/- 62 x 10(9). L(-1) to 155 +/- 60 x 10(9). L(-1) (P =.0001). Extracorporeal circulation had little additional effect. The hemodilution-corrected count was 142 +/- 48 x 10(9). L(-1) (P =.6). CONCLUSIONS: Heparinization caused platelet activation and increased existent platelet microaggregation ex vivo. During extracorporeal circulation, there was a reduction in total platelets that was greater than could be explained by hemodilution alone, but the unaggregated platelet count did not change significantly when corrected for hemodilution. Furthermore, the increased platelet microaggregation observed after heparinization was no longer evident after this loss. These findings suggest that during extracorporeal circulation, the platelets that formed into microaggregates after heparinization were lost from the circulation in preference to single platelets.

Adult↗

Analysis by mathematical model of haemodynamic data in the failing Fontan circulation.

Several late complications jeopardize the clinical performance of recipients of the Fontan operation. The underlying causes have been referred to disturbed flow dynamics in the cavopulmonary connections. Presumably, the large pressure drops occurring in the inferior and superior connections play a pivotal role in the pressure level of the entire circulation, especially in the venous. To address this issue, we retrospectively reviewed catheterization data of six patients with failing Fontan circulation and compared them with those of six patients with functioning Fontan circulation. The impact on the systemic and pulmonary pressure of the increase in the cavopulmonary connection resistances was studied through a steady-state mathematical model of the univentricular closed-loop circulation. In the patients with failing Fontan, pressure in the venae cavae was found to be significantly higher, especially at the inferior cava (19.3 +/- 2.2 versus 12.5 +/- 2.3 mmHg) with the pressure drop at the inferior cavopulmonary connection significantly increased (4.7 +/- 3.1 versus 0.33 +/- 0.82 mmHg). The proposed mathematical model permits us to clearly relate the pressure increase in the venae cavae to an increased resistance in the cavopulmonary connections. Therefore, the present analysis confirms that, to avoid possible congestion of venous circulation, the definitive palliation of univentricular heart should not cause pressure drops at the cavopulmonary connections.

Adolescent↗

Effect of ifenprodil on ocular tissue circulation in rabbits.

Ifenprodil tartrate has long been employed as a cerebral vasodilator with alpha and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonistic activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ifenprodil on ocular circulation in rabbits. Experiments were performed during the dark phase in Dutch rabbits conditioned to a schedule of alternating 12-hr periods of light and dark. Effects on ocular tissue blood velocity were estimated using the laser speckle method in the iris, posterior choroid, and optic nerve head (ONH). Measurements of tissue blood velocity were performed both after intravenous injection of ifenprodil at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, and the same volume of the vehicle, and after topical instillation of 0.5% ifenprodil (50 microl) twice daily for 1, 3 and 20 days unilaterally in a masked manner. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was also measured during the experimental period. Intravenous administration of ifenprodil caused a significant increase in blood velocity in the ONH, choroid, and iris, but ONH circulation was affected at a lower dose than uveal circulation. In the topical instillation experiment, IOP in the ifenprodil-treated eye was significantly lower, by approximately 2 mmHg, than that in the contralateral eye when the laser speckle measurement was performed. Twice-daily, unilateral 0.5% ifenprodil instillation significantly increased blood velocity in the iris after 3 days and that in the ONH and posterior choroid after 20 days in the treated eye. Topical 0.5% ifenprodil increased blood velocity in the iris, posterior choroid, and ONH after multiple dosings. After systemic administration, ONH circulation appeared to be influenced at a lower dose than was uveal circulation.

Administration, Topical↗

Destruction of circulating leukemia cells by phagocytosis in rats with myelogenous leukemia.

Acute myelogenous leukemia was induced in outbred Long-Evans rats by iv injections of leukemia cells from a subcutaneous tumor of Shay myelogenous leukemia. In rats with this leukemia the peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts varied from 2.4 to 700 X 10(9)/liter. No differences were found in the bone marrow of the rats with the high WBC counts and that of rats with low WBC counts. This observation could explain the large variations in the number of circulating leukemia cells caused by differences in cell proliferation or delivery of cells into the circulation. Massive phagocytosis of leukemia cells occurred in animals with low WBC counts (less than 12 X 10(9)/liter) but not in animals with high WBC counts (greater than 150 X 10(9)/liter). This phagocytosis was directed against circulating leukemia cells. The main phagocytes were Kupffer's cells of the liver and macrophages of the spleen parenchyma. In addition, phagocytosis occurred in the spleens and bone marrow by intravascular macrophages, which were derived from extravascular sites. The endothelium of the postcapillary venules of the lymph nodes participated in the phagocytosis of circulating leukemia cells while continuing to be the locus of lymphocytic return from circulation to lymphatic parenchyma. The factors underlying the differences in macrophage activity between the rats with high and low WBC counts were unknown.

Animals↗