Hemostatic and toxinological diversities in venom of Micrurus tener tener, Micrurus fulvius fulvius and Micrurus isozonus coral snakes.

The coral snake Micrurus tener tener (Mtt) from the Elapidae family inhabits the southwestern United States and produces severe cases of envenomations. Although the majority of Mtt venom components are neurotoxins and phospholipase A2s, this study demonstrated, by SDS-PAGE and molecular exclusion chromatography (MEC), that these venoms also contain high-molecular-weight proteins between 50 and 150 kDa that target the hemostatic system. The biological aspects of other Micrurus venoms were also studied, such as the LD50s of Micrurus isozonus (from 0.52 to 0.61 mg/kg). A pool from these venoms presented a LD50 of 0.57 mg/kg, Micrurus f. fulvius (Mff) and Mtt had LD50s of 0.32 and 0.78 mg/kg, respectively. These venoms contained fibrino(geno)lytic activity, they inhibited platelet aggregation, as well as factor Xa and/or plasmin-like activities. M. isozonus venoms from different Venezuelan geographical regions inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation (from 50 to 68%). Micrurus tener tener venom from the United States was the most active with a 95.2% inhibitory effect. This venom showed thrombin-like activity on fibrinogen and human plasma. Fractions of Mtt showed fibrino(geno)lytic activity and inhibition on plasmin amidolytic activity. Several fractions degraded the fibrinogen Aα chains, and fractions F2 and F7 completely degraded both fibrinogen Aα and Bß chains. To our knowledge, this is the first report on thrombin-like and fibrino(geno)lytic activity and plasmin or factor Xa inhibitors described in Micrurus venoms. Further purification and characterization of these Micrurus venom components could be of therapeutic use in the treatment of hemostatic disorders.

A program of nutritional education in schools reduced the prevalence of iron deficiency in students.

The objective was to determine the prevalence of iron, folates and retinol deficiencies in school children and to evaluate the changes after an intervention of nutritional education. The project was developed in 17 schools. The sample included 1,301 children (678 males and 623 females). A subsample of 480 individuals, was randomly selected for drawing blood for biochemical determinations before and after the intervention of nutritional education, which included in each school: written pre and post-intervention tests, 6 workshops, 2 participative talks, 5 game activities, 1 cooking course and 1 recipe contest. Anthropometrical and biochemical determinations included weight, height, body-mass index, nutritional status, hematocrit, serum ferritin, retinol and folate concentrations. There was high prevalence of iron (25%), folates (75%) and vitamin A (43%) deficiencies in school children, with a low consumption of fruit and vegetables, high consumption of soft drinks and snacks and almost no physical activity. The nutritional education intervention produced a significant reduction in iron deficiency prevalence (25 to 14%), and showed no effect on vitamin A and folates deficiencies. There was a slight improvement in nutritional status. This study shows, through biochemical determinations, that nutritional education initiatives and programs have an impact improving nutritional health in school children.

Hemostatic properties of Venezuelan Bothrops snake venoms with special reference to Bothrops isabelae venom.

In Venezuela, Bothrops snakes are responsible for more than 80% of all recorded snakebites. This study focuses on the biological and hemostatic characteristics of Bothrops isabelae venom along with its comparative characteristics with two other closely related Bothrops venoms, Bothrops atrox and Bothrops colombiensis. Electrophoretic profiles of crude B. isabelae venom showed protein bands between 14 and 100 kDa with the majority in the range of 14-31 kDa. The molecular exclusion chromatographic profile of this venom contains five fractions (F1-F5). Amidolytic activity evaluation evidenced strong thrombin-like followed by kallikrein-like activities in crude venom and in fractions F1 and F2. The fibrinogenolytic activity of B. isabelae venom at a ratio of 100:1 (fibrinogen/venom) induced a degradation of A alpha and B beta chains at 15 min and 2 h, respectively. At a ratio of 100:10, a total degradation of A alpha and B beta chains at 5 min and of gamma chains at 24 h was apparent. This current study evidences one of rarely reported for Bothrops venoms, which resembles the physiologic effect of plasmin. B. isabelae venom as well as F2 and F3 fractions, contain fibrinolytic activity on fibrin plate of 36, 23.5 and 9.45 mm(2)/microg, respectively using 25 microg of protein. Crude venom and F1 fraction showed gelatinolytic activity. Comparative analysis amongst Venezuelan bothropoid venoms, evidenced that the LD(50) of B. isabelae (5.9 mg/kg) was similar to B. atrox-Puerto Ayacucho 1 (6.1 mg/kg) and B. colombiensis-Caucagua (5.8 mg/kg). B. isabelae venom showed minor hemorrhagic activity, whereas B. atrox-Parguasa (Bolivar state) was the most hemorrhagic. In this study, a relative high thrombin-like activity was observed in B. colombiensis venoms (502-568 mUA/min/mg), and a relative high factor Xa-like activity was found in B. atrox venoms (126-294 mUA/min/mg). Fibrinolytic activity evaluated with 10 microg protein, showed that B. isabelae venom contained higher specific activity (50 mm(2)/microg) than B. colombiensis and B. atrox venoms, which should encourage the isolation of these fibrinolytic molecules to improve the quality of immunotherapy.

Anti-platelet effect of cumanastatin 1, a disintegrin isolated from venom of South American Crotalus rattlesnake.

Disintegrins have been previously described in the venom of several snake families inhibiting signal transduction, cell-cell interactions, and cell-matrix interactions and may have therapeutic potential in heart attacks, thrombotic diseases, and cancers. This investigation describes the first disintegrin isolated from South American Crotalus venom (Venezuelan rattlesnake Crotalus durissus cumanensis), which inhibits platelet adhesion to matrix proteins. C. d. cumanensis crude venom was first separated on a Sephadex G-100 column into 4 fractions (SI to SIV). Crude venom and SIII fraction significantly diminished platelet adhesion to fibrinogen (Fg) and to fibronectin (Fn). Anti-adhesive SIII fraction was further separated by DEAE-Sephacel followed by C-18 reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The platelet anti-adhesive fraction obtained was designated as cumanastatin-1. This disintegrin has a mass of 7.442 kDa as determined by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF) and pI of 8.5. Cumanastatin-1 also inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation with an IC(50) of 158 nM. However, it did not significantly inhibit collagen and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Cumanastatin-1 considerably inhibited anti-alpha(IIb)beta(3) integrin binding to platelets in a dose-dependent manner; however, it did not present any effect on the alpha(5)beta(1) integrin or on P-selectin.

Parámetros hemostáticos en placenta de pacientes con embarazo normal y con preeclampsia severa / Hemostatic system parameters of placental extracts in normal pregnancy and severe preeclampsia

Con el objeto de buscar el mejor entendimiento del mecanismo hemostático en la preeclampsia, se estudiaron extractos de placentas obtenidos de 26 mujeres embarazadas normales (EN) y 12 pacientes con preeclampsia severa (PES), en los cuales se determinaron trombomodulina (TM), factor tisular (FT), activador tisular del plasminógeno (t-PA), inhibidores del activador del plasminógeno 1 y 2 (PAI-1 y PAI-2) y el inhibidor del factor tisular (TFPI). Los resultados mostraron concentraciones similares de FT, TM y PAI-2 en ambos grupos, t-PA incrementado no significativamente y el TFPI y el PAI-1 presentaron un incremento significativo en las placentas de PES

Functional characterization of fibrinogen Bicêtre II: a gamma 308 Asn-->Lys mutation located near the fibrin D:D interaction sites.

The effects of the gamma-308 Asn-->Lys substitution of fibrinogen Bicêtre II on clot formation, structure and properties were determined to elucidate the role of this part of the molecule in fibrin polymerization. This process was followed by measurement of turbidity, and the structure and biophysical characteristics of the clots were studied by permeation, scanning electron microscopy, and rheological techniques. Turbidity studies revealed an increased lag period and greater final turbidity for fibrin BII clots, indicating impaired oligomer formation. By permeation it was found that BII clots had greater network porosity, four times more than that of the control. The clot architecture visualized by scanning electron microscopy was similar to that of control clots with pore size and fiber diameter slightly increased. BII clots had a stiffness decreased by more than half, and an increased loss tangent, a measure of the inelastic deformation of the clot. All these results suggest a disruption of the proper alignment of fibrin monomers during oligomer formation. Consistent with these results, fibrin cross-linking by adding the physiological concentration of factor XIII to the purified protein showed that gamma and alpha chain cross-linking was impaired in BII clots. This amino acid substitution defines distinctive effects on the surface of the D:D interaction sites that are reflected in the clot structure and functional properties.

[Changes in serum lipids, plasma fibrinogen and other haemostatic parameters induced by ciprofibrate action in hyperlipidemic patients with and without coronary artery disease]. / Modificaciones de los lipidos séricos, el fibrinógeno y otros parámetros hemostáticos por acción del ciprofibrato, en pacientes hiperlipidémicos con y sin enfermedad arterial coronaria.

The effects of drugs with hypolipidemic properties in the prevention of the atherothrombotic vascular disease, go further than reducing serum lipids, suggesting that there are other nonlipid-related mechanisms involved; the maintenance of appropriate haemostatic balance being one of them. The objective of this investigation was a drug intervention with ciprofibrat in hyperlipidemic people with high level of plasmatic fibrinogen with the purpose of knowing the effects of the drug over these risk factors and other haemostatic parameters. Forty people, both sexes, 20 of them apparently healthy and the other 20 with clinical and angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease, were randomized to receive 100 mg of ciprofibrat or placebo during an average of 56 weeks. All of them had a clinical exam, EKG and stress test. Laboratory exams included lipid profile, plasma fibrinogen (Fg), VII factor, vonWillebrand factor, protein C (PC) and the tissue plasminogen activator with samples taken every 8 weeks. The Ciprofibrat group showed significant changes of lipids: cholesterol -23%, triglycerides -31%, high-density lipoprotein (HDLc) +24% and very low-density lipoprotein -23%, except low-density lipoprotein -24%. The haemostatic parameters in 40 weeks showed that Fg decreased 21% (p = 0.001), decreasing to 9% at the end of the follow-up. In the placebo group the HDLc showed a 10% increase (p = 0.02), PC reduced to 20% (p = 0.01) and Fg kept blood levels close to basal line, descending 10% at the end of the follow-up. In this study, the use of ciprofibrat in patients with high risk of developing atherothrombotic events, showed efficiency and security in handling hyperlipidemia, such as keeping and appropriate haemostatic balance.

Modificaciones de los lípidos séricos, el fibrinógeno y otros parámetros hemostáticos por acción del ciprofibrato, en pacientes hiperlipidémicos con y sin enfermedad arterial coronaria / Changes in serum lipids, plasma fibrinogen and other haemostatic parameters induced by ciprofibrat action in hyperlipidemic patients with and without coronary artery disease

Los efectos de medicamentos con propiedades hipolipemiantes en la prevención de la enfermedad vascular aterotrombótica, van más allá del solo hecho de descender los lípidos séricos, lo que sugiere que están involucrados otros mecanismos no lipídicos y el mantener un adecuado balance hemostático es uno de ellos. El objetivo del estudio fue realizar una intervención medicamentosa con el Ciprofibrato, en individuos hiperlipidémicos y con niveles elevados de fibrinógeno plasmático, con el propósito de conocer los efectos del fármaco sobre estos factores de riesgo y otros parámetros hemostáticos. Cuarenta individuos de ambos sexos, 20 aparentemente sanos y los otros 20 pacientes con evidencia clínica y angiográfica de enfermedad arterial coronaria, fueron asignados en forma aleatoria balanceada a recibir 100 mg de Ciprofibrato o placebo durante un seguimiento promedio de 56 semanas. A todos se les realizó un examen clínico, electrocardiograma, prueba de esfuerzo y exámenes de laboratorio que incluyó perfil lipídico, fibrinógeno plasmático (Fg), factor VII, factor vonWillebrand, proteína C (PC) y el activador tisular del plasminógeno, con controles cada 8 semanas hasta finalizar el seguimiento. El grupo que recibió Ciprofibrato mostró cambios significativos de los lípidos séricos: colesterol -23 por ciento, triglicéridos -31 por ciento, lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDLcol) +24 por ciento y lipoproteínas de muy baja densidad -23 por ciento, excepto en las lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDLcol) -24 por ciento; de los parámetros hemostáticos sólo el Fg logró un descenso del 21 por ciento (p = 0,001) a las 40 semanas, disminuyendo a un 9 por ciento en la semana 56 del seguimiento. En el grupo placebo, la HDLcol mostró un cambio beneficioso al incrementarse en un 10 por ciento (p = 0,02), la PC se redujo en un 20 por ciento (p = 0,01) y el Fg se mantuvo en niveles cercanos a la basal hasta la semana 40, para luego descender un 10 por ciento al final del seguimiento....

Fibrinogen Guarenas, an abnormal fibrinogen with an Aalpha-chain truncation due to a nonsense mutation at Aalpha 467 Glu (GAA)-->stop (TAA).

Fibrinogen Guarenas is a dysfibrinogenemia with a nonsense mutation at G4731T that causes an Aalpha-chain truncation at Ser 466. This abnormal fibrinogen is associated with a bleeding diathesis, severe in the proposita and mild in one brother, even though the fibrinogen levels in plasma are normal. All other family members are asymptomatic. Fibrinogens from the proposita and one family member, the mother of the proposita, both heterozygous for the mutation, were studied. Turbidity curves of fibrin polymerization showed that the lateral association of protofibrils was impaired and the maximum rate of polymerization was slightly diminished. The binding of albumin to fibrinogen was increased compared to control due to the presence of a free sulfhydryl group because of the missing disulphide bridge between Aalpha-Cys 442-472 in the mutated molecules. The abnormal fibrinogen formed much less alpha-polymer, and gamma-dimer formation was delayed compared to the control. Plasminogen activation by t-PA in the presence of fibrin was decreased. When Guarenas clots were perfused with fibrinolytic enzymes, clot degradation was retarded. Clot structure studied by confocal 3D microscopy showed that the fibrin network was dense, made up of thin and highly branched fibers, which accounted for the decreased flow rates by buffer permeation and increased rigidity of the fibrin clots, measured using a torsion pendulum. It seems that the increased clot rigidity, decreased porosity, hypofibrinolysis and t-PA induced fibrinolysis, by itself are not necessarily associated with thrombotic disorders in dysfibrinogenemia.

[Hemostatic system parameters of placental extracts in normal pregnancy and severe preeclampsia]. / Parámetros hemostáticos en placenta de pacientes con embarazo normal y con preeclampsia severa.

To better understand the role of the hemostatic mechanism in preeclampsia, placental extracts obtained from 26 normal pregnant women (NP) and 12 patients with severe pre-eclampsia (SPE) were analyzed to determine thrombomodulin (TM), tissue factor (TF), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) 1 and 2, and TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI). The results showed similar concentrations of TF, TM and PAI-2 in both groups, while tPA increased no significantly and TFPI and PAI-1 increased significantly in SPE placentas.

[Relation of socioeconomic levels and life style to fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor in healthy Venezuelans and those with ischemic cardiopathy]. / Relación entre el nivel socioeconómico y hábitos de vida, con el fibrinógeno y el factor von Willebrand en venezolanos sanos y con cardiopatía isquémica.

Previous studies in Europe, U.S.A and Japan have revealed an inverse relationship between socioeconomic levels and fibrinogen concentration. Similar results have been reported in a smaller number of studies for concentrations of von Willebrand factor. In this opportunity we present results on the relationship between smoking, drinking, physical activity, age and socioeconomic level on fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor concentrations in a Venezuelan sample. The control population consisted of 978 men and 968 women. Patients with coronary heart disease were 172 males and 78 females. The presence of one or more of the following conditions: smoking or less than 5 years of having quit, non drinkers or drinking in excess, and a reduced physical activity, was considered a health related risk factor for high levels of these two haemostatic variables. Our results indicate that in Controls, the socioeconomic level had a significant effect on fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor levels, only in women: those of lower socioeconomic levels had the highest concentrations. This difference was maintained when age was taken into account. Health related behaviors had no significant effect on either variable. In patients, age had no effect on either variable. The health behavior risk factor had a significant effect only on fibrinogen of male patients, and socioeconomic level had a significant effect only on the fibrinogen of female patients. More studies in Venezuela are recommended, in order to increase our knowledge on the relationship between socioeconomic levels, haemostatic markers and the occurrence of coronary heart disease.

Relación entre el nivel socioeconómico y hábitos de vida con el fibrinógeno y el factor von Willebrand en venezolanos sanos y con cardiopatía isquémica / Relation between socioeconomic levels and life style with fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor in Venezuela

Estudios epidemiológicos en Europa, EEUU y Japón, han revelado una relación inversa entre la concentración de fibrinógeno y del factor von Willebrand con el nivel socioeconómico. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de la relación entre el fibrinógeno y el factor von Willebrand con el nivel socioeconómico, los hábitos tabáquicos, alcohólicos, actividad física y la edad, en una población venezolana aparentemente sana de 978 hombres y 968 mujeres (grupo control), y en 172 hombres y 78 mujeres con Enfermedad Cardiovascular Isquémica. Se consideró factor de riesgo comportamiento para niveles altos de fibrinógeno y factor von Willebrand, la presencia de uno o más de los siguientes hábitos: ser fumador o ex-fumador de menos de 5 años, no ingerir alcohol o ingerirlo en exceso, y el tener una actividad física muy limitada. En los controles, la edad tuvo un efecto significativo y positivo sobre las dos variables hemostáticas, en ambos sexos. En relación al efecto del nivel socioeconómico, se observó una tendencia en ambas variables de mostrar las concentraciones más altas en los niveles más bajos, sólo significativa en las mujeres. En cambio, el factor de riesgo comportamiento no tuvo un efecto significativo sobre ninguna de las dos variables. En los pacientes, la edad no tuvo efecto sobre ninguna de las variables, el factor de riesgo comportamiento tuvo un efecto significativo positivo sólo sobre el fibrinógeno de los hombres, y el nivel socioeconómico sólo tuvo efectos significativos en la concentración de fibrinógeno de las mujeres: valores altos en niveles socioeconómicos bajos. Se recomienda continuar con estos estudios para entender mejor la relación entre el nivel socioeconómico, las variables hemostáticas y la incidencia de Enfermedad Cardiovascular Isquémica