The antioxidant capacity of erythrocyte concentrates is increased during the first week of storage and correlated with the uric acid level.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Red blood cells (RBCs) suffer from lesions during cold storage, depending in part on their ability to counterbalance oxidative stress by activating their antioxidant defence. The aim of this study was to monitor the antioxidant power (AOP) in erythrocyte concentrates (ECs) during cold storage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six ECs were prepared in saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol (SAGM) additive solution and followed during 43 days. The AOP was quantified electrochemically using disposable electrode strips and compared with results obtained from a colorimetric assay. Haematological data, data on haemolysis and the extracellular concentration of uric acid were also recorded. Additionally, a kinetic model was developed to extract quantitative kinetic data on the AOP behaviour. RESULTS: The AOP of total ECs and their extracellular samples attained a maximum after 1 week of storage prior to decaying and reaching a plateau, as shown by the electrochemical measurements. The observed trend was confirmed with a colorimetric assay. Uric acid had a major contribution to the extracellular AOP. Interestingly, the AOP and uric acid levels were linked to the sex of the donors. CONCLUSION: The marked increase in AOP during the first week of storage suggests that RBCs are impacted early by the modification of their environment. The AOP behaviour reflects the changes in metabolism activity following the adjustment of the extracellular uric acid level. Knowing the origin, interdonor variability and the effects of the AOP on the RBCs could be beneficial for the storage quality, which will have to be further studied.

Activated Stat related transcription factors in acute leukemia.

Cell proliferation and differentiation are under the control of cytokines and growth factors. Different signaling pathways are involved in the transmission of a specific signal through successive phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins leading to gene transcription necessary for growth and differentiation. The cytokines and growth factors activate the Stat family of transcription factors. The Jak-Stat pathway is essential for cytokine signal transduction. Dysregulation of this cascade might lead to uncontrolled hematopoiesis. Studies have been carried out to examine the functionality of this pathway in cells from patients with acute leukemia. Members of the Stat protein family (Stat1, Stat3 and Stat5) are constitutively activated in cells collected from some acute leukemias suggesting dysregulation of the Jak-Stat pathway. Evidence of the existence of constitutively activated spliced variants of Stat3 and Stat5 proteins are described. The mechanisms of such activation remain to be clarified.

Influence of thromboembolism prophylaxis by low molecular weight heparin CY 216 (Fraxiparine) on several parameters of haemostasis in patients under dialysis and receiving either unfractionated heparin or CY 216.

The hemorrhagic risk of an association of the low molecular weight (LMWH), Fraxiparine injected intravenously at the dose of 7.500 AXalCU or of unfractionated heparin (UFH) injected intravenously at the usual dose used during hemodialysis (3.750 +/- 1.280 IU + 1.000 IU after 2 hours of dialysis) to the subcutaneous administration once daily of a thromboembolism preventive dose of Fraxiparine (7.500 AXalCU) was evaluated on the modification of the following hemostasis parameters: thrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), anti Xa activity, in 13 uremic patients on hemodialysis. The association of intravenous and subcutaneous Fraxiparine prevented efficiently the clotting of the extracorporeal circulation without inducing a detectable antithrombinic activity. In contrast, the association of I.V. UFH to subcutaneous Fraxiparine induced a significant increase of the thrombin time and of the APTT, so explained by the activity of UFH. It is concluded that subcutaneous Fraxiparine at the thromboembolism preventive dose can be associated as well to I.V. Fraxiparine as to UFH without increasing the potential hemorrhagic risk. Nevertheless the association of SC and IV Fraxiparine 7.500 AXalC u seems preferable to the association of SC Fraxiparine with UFH.

[Severe pulmonary embolism and recurrent thrombophlebitis caused by hereditary antithrombin III deficiency]. / Embolie pulmonaire sévère et thrombophlébite récidivante en rapport avec un déficit héréditaire en antithrombine III.

Severe pulmonary embolism with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava was observed in a 16 year old girl with no risk factors and treated successfully by fibrinolytic therapy. Secondarily, despite heparino-therapy, upper limb venous thrombosis occurred. Investigation of the clotting factors in the patient and her family revealed a hereditary deficit of antithrombin III. The features of the haemotological diagnosis of this rare condition and the therapeutic implications are discussed.

[Low molecular weight heparin (CY 222) levels during hemodialysis sessions. Comparison of various chromogenic and chronometric methods. Problem of standardization]. / Dosage d'une héparine de bas poids moléculaire (CY 222) au cours des séances d'hémodialyse. Comparaison de différentes méthodes chromogéniques et chronométriques. Problème de l'étalonnage.

Current evaluation of biological activity of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) is dependent solely on technics determining Xa inhibition. Comparison of these technics was carried out during 2 studies of the use of CY 222 during hemodialysis. In the first study, 66 plasma samples from 11 patients treated with 200 or 250 U A Xa IC kg/i.v. at start of session (sample collections at 2-4 h) were tested using a chronometric technic (Hepaclot Stago-plasma diluted to 1/3) and 2 chromogenic technics on microplates using C.B.S. 31-39 substrates (Stachrom-modified Stago: incubation time 90" for a wide range) and S 2222 (Coatest-modified Kabi: incubation time 180"). In the second, 28 plasma samples from 7 patients (sample collection 2-4 h, TO following session; anticoagulation CY 222 10,000-15,000-20,000 U A Xa IC) were studied by 2 chronometric methods: Hepaclot (Stago) and Heptest (Hemachem). Standardization was with CY 222 in each case (results expressed as U A Xa IC). Mean blood heparin in the first study was 2.39 +/- 0.7 with Hepaclot, 2.50 +/- 0.55 with Stachrom and 1.94 +/- 0.37 with Coatest. Student's test failed to show any difference between results with Strachrom and Hepaclot (t = 1.48 NS) whereas the difference was very significant between Hepaclot and Coatest and Stachrom and Coatest (p less than 10(-9).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Anticoagulation in hemodialysis sessions with a low molecular weight heparin (CY 222, Choay). Dosage studies in chronic hemodialysis. Its use in patients at high risk of hemorrhage]. / Anticoagulation des séances d'hémodialyse par une héparine de bas poids moléculaire (CY 222, Choay). Etudes de posologies en hémodialyse chronique (HDC). Utilisation chez les patients à haut risque hémorragique.

Efficacy of CY 222 for providing anticoagulation during hemodialysis was evaluated in three successive trials by rating quality of blood restitution (degree of coagulum formation in extracorporeal circulation) and by assay of fibrinopeptide A. Its safety was assessed by measurement of manual compression time necessary to ensure hemostasis of puncture points at end of session. Details of the first preliminary study were: 60 sessions in 11 chronic uremia patients; CY 222: 75, 150 and 300 A-Xa IC U/kg + 1,000 A-Xa IC U/h, then 150 and 300 A-Xa IC U/kg without continuous injection, compared with standard heparin (SH) at the usual dosage for each patient (60 +/- 13 IU/kg). Results showed CY 222 at 150 U/kg + 1,000 U/h to possess the same efficacy as SH and to give a shorter compression test time: for 150 U/kg the efficacy was satisfactory, although less than with SH, and compression times were shorter (interest in patients at risk of hemorrhage). For 300 U/kg, efficacy was superior (improved restitution and lower FPA level at end of seance: 6 ng/ml instead of 15 ng/ml.p less than 0.002) and compression times were identical. The second study to evaluate optimal dosage of CY 222 in chronic hemodialysis (CHD) involved: 10 patients; CY 222: 200 A-Xa IC U/kg and 250 A-Xa IC U/kg by single-dose injection. Results failed to demonstrate any significant difference in evolution of FPA levels, but restitution was better at 250 U/kg. In addition, investigation of the effect of rinsing of ECC with standard heparin before the session showed that its suppression did not alter effectiveness but improved tolerance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Filterability in children.

The filterability of total blood and erythrocytes has been investigated in 36 children from 2 to 14 years old by the filtration method developed by Reid. Red blood cells being obtained by centrifugation, were washed three times and resuspended in saline. Filterability was recorded as the filtration time of 1 ml of total blood or red cells suspension. The filtration time of total blood was: 49.10 +/- 14.5 s/ml; that of resuspended cells was: 18.19 +/- 6.16 s/ml. These results have been correlated with age, fibrinogen, white blood cells, glycaemia, haematocrit, and compared with the results obtained in 42 adults whose filtration times were: 33.04 +/- 7.40; and red cells' time: 13.99 +/- 2.95. Statistical analysis shows that the difference is very significant and not correlated with the investigated factors. Erythrocyte filterability may be influenced by still unknown factor.

[Mixed cryoglobulinemia]. / Les cryoglobulinémies mixtes.

Mixed cryoglobulinemia are divided in two types: type II is the association of polyclonal IgG and a monoclonal IgM and type III is the association of polyclonal IgG and polyclonal IgM. In 70 p. 100 of cryoglobulinemia, a cause may be found (hematologic, auto immune disorder, infections, hepatic disorders), in some cases the recognition of the cause is delayed. In 30 p. 100 of cases, no cause can be identified and the cryoglobulinemia is considered as essential. Main clinical finding are purpuric skin rash, urticaria, arthralgia, motor sensitive polyneuropathy, diffuse proliferative glomerulo nephritis. Biological signs associate anemia, rheumatoïd factor and hypocomplementemia. Mixed essential cryoglobulinemia (the Meltzer and Franklin syndrome) is characterized by a systemic vasculitis involving small and middle size vessels.

[The platelet defect in myeloproliferative disorder (author's transl)]. / Thrombopathies des syndromes myéloprolifératifs

Platelets functions are very often impaired in myeloproliferative disorders and acute leukemias. The abnormalities may either results from plasmatic factor affecting the platelet function or from an intrinsic platelet defect. The mechanism of the platelet defect is still a subject to discussion: it may be an abnormal response of the platelet to the aggregating agent or an impaired release of nucleotides.