ARACHnase. An evaluation of a positive control for platelet neutralization procedure testing with seven commercial activated partial thromboplastin time reagents.

ARACHnase (Hemostasis Diagnostics International Co., Denver, CO) is a normal plasma that contains a venom extract from the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, which mimics the presence of a lupus anticoagulant (LA). Seven activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) reagents were used for platelet neutralization procedure (PNP) testing with ARACHnase: Automated APTT (Organon-Teknika, Durham, NC); Thrombofax and Thrombosil (Ortho, Raritan, NJ); Actin and Actin FSL (Dade, Aguado, PR); and Thromboscreen-Kontact and Thromboscreen-APTT LS (Pacific-Hemostasis, Ventura, CA). ARACHnase consistently displayed a positive PNP result of greater than 5 seconds correction of the initial baseline APTT. Thus, ARACHnase may provide a positive control for LA testing, regardless of the choice of APTT reagent and activator/phospholipid combination.

[Effects of crude extract of earthworm on promoting blood circulation to removing stasis].

The crude extract of earthworm which has a thrombolytic effect could significantly decrease the plasma fibrinogen content and euglobulin lysis time (P < 0.01). An enzymatic preparation, containing many fibrinolytic enzymes, was prepared from the crude extract by ammonium sulphate precipitation and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. When administered in rabbits, the enzymatic preparation had an effect in hemorheology improvement. The experiment shows the enzymatic preparation could obviously lower the aggregation of platelets, decrease the viscosity of whole blood and plasma as well as the index of erythrocyte rigidity significantly (P < 0.001). All these effects demonstrated its ability in promoting blood circulation to remove stasis.

[The effects of starfish sterol on platelet aggregation].

Through the internal and external experiments of platelet aggregation on rats and rabbits, we study the effects of starfish sterol (No. A1998) on the formation of experimental thrombus in vitro and the effects of platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA), ADP, CaCl2. Starfish sterol A 1998 can inhibit the formation of experimental thrombus in vitro of rats on the rates of 10.0%, 20.1%, 25.9% (P < 0.01), p.o. starfish sterol 4.5, 13.5, 40.5 mg/kg. A 1998 can inhibit platelet aggregation induced by AA, ADP, CaCl2 in the same time. It can be concluded that starfish sterol has inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation.

[Purification and characteristics of polypeptide with inhibition of platelet aggregation from Agkistrodon blomhoffii Bioe].

A polypeptide, SV-PP-2, was purified from Agkistrodon blomhoffii Bioe by HPLC C18 column. The SV-PP-2 has molecular weight of 23339.00 Da, and can inhibit the ADP-induced platelet aggregation in dose-dependent manner. There have been no such polypeptides reported yet which has inhibition of platelet aggregation and similar molecular weight to SV-PP-2.

[Purification of small peptide from Agkistrodon blomhoffii Bioe and its inhibition on platelet aggregation].

This is the first report to purify a new peptide SV-PP-1 from Agkistrodon blomhoffii Bioe. SV-PP-1 has molecular weight of 1234.616 Da and can inhibit on platelet aggregation. SV-PP-1 significantly inhibited the ADP-induced platelet aggregation. It has been found up to now that SV-PP-1 is the smallest peptide inhibiting on platelet aggregation from snake venom.

[Effects of Squama manitis on cardiac systolic function and platelet aggregation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Squama Manitis(S. M.) on cardiac function and platelet aggregation in vitro. METHOD: Isolated working rat hearts were prepared, and cardiac performance was measured before and after adding S. M. in the Krebs-Hensleit(K-H) perfusion buffer. Controls with K-H buffer were also investigated. Rich platelet plasma and Poor platelet plasma were centrifuged from the blood of 15 patients with coronary heart disease. Each sample was divided into three parts for use by three groups: control, group of S. M. and group of aspirin. Platelet aggregation was stimulated by adenosine diphosphate. RESULT: LVSP, +dP/dtmax and CO of isolated working rat hearts were significantly increased after treating with S. M. liquor. S. M. had no obvious effect on -dP/dtmax and LVEDP. These parameters did not change significantly in the control. Percentages of platelet aggregation were significantly lower in the group of S. M. and the group of aspirin as compared with the control. CONCLUSION: S. M. increases cardiac systolic function, has positive inotropic effect on myocardium and inhibits platelet aggregation.

[Pharmacological studies of huomaisan].

After per os Huomaisan twice a day for 5 days, HMS significantly prolonged thrombus formation time and inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen. Meanwhile, HMS also decreased blood viscosity, but did not significantly affect hematocrit. The result shows that HMS has multiple actions on blood.

Snake venom components and their applications in biomedicine.

Snake envenomation is a socio-medical problem of considerable magnitude. About 2.5 million people are bitten by snakes annually, more than 100,000 fatally. However, although bites can be deadly, snake venom is a natural biological resource that contains several components of potential therapeutic value. Venom has been used in the treatment of a variety of pathophysiological conditions in Ayurveda, homeopathy and folk medicine. With the advent of biotechnology, the efficacy of such treatments has been substantiated by purifying components of venom and delineating their therapeutic properties. This review will focus on certain snake venom components and their applications in health and disease.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet aggregation activity of human placental extract.

AIM: To find the anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet aggregatory activity of human placental extract (HPE, Placentrex). METHODS: The HPE was studied for anti-inflammatory effect in Wistar rats on carrageenin, serotonin (5-HT), and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) induced edema in acute model and cotton pellet induced granuloma on sub-acute model. Anti-platelet aggregation was studied against protection of adinosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced aggregation of human platelet through in vitro study. RESULTS: HPE showed positive results both in acute and sub-acute models of inflammation. Highly significant (P<0.01) results were obtained against 5-HT induced acute inflammation and cotton pellet induced sub-acute inflammation in comparison with standard (diclofenac sodium) and control (normal saline) drugs. The anti-inflammatory property of HPE in animal model was well supported with clinical study of platelet aggregation. There was highly significant (P<0.01) inhibition of platelet aggregation with HPE at different doses against ADP. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that human placental extract may be useful in suppressing inflammation and platelet aggregation.

Hematological studies on naturally occurring substances. VI. Effects of an animal crude drug "chan su" (bufonis venenum) on blood coagulation, platelet aggregation, fibrinolysis system and cytotoxicity.

During the screening test of the animal crude drug "Chan su" (Chinese name, toad-cake), the venom of Bufo bufo gargorizans CANTOR (Bufonidae), on blood coagulation, platelet aggregation, fibrinolysis system and cytotoxicity, the ethyl acetate extract showed promotive action on platelet aggregation and remarkable cytotoxic activity on HeLa-S3 cells. Nine kinds of bufadienolides were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract by bioactivity-guided fractionation and were identified by chemical and spectral analysis.

El efecto rebote de las drogas: un riesgo fatal para el tratamiento convencional y una base farmacológica para el tratamiento homeopático. / Rebound effect of drugs: fatal risk of conventional treatment and parmacological basis of homeopathic treatment

El modelo homeopático considera la acción secundaria o la reacción vital del organismo como un método terapéutico y, por lo tanto prescribe tratamientos por el principio de similitud; éste consiste en administrar a los individuas enfermos sustancias que han causado síntomas similares en individuas sanas. La reacción vital homeostática o paradójica de un organismo puede ser explicada científicamente en base al efecto de rebate de los medicamentos modernos, el cual puede causar eventos iatrogénicos fatales posteriores a la suspensión de un tratamiento antipático (un término utilizado en medicina alternativa para el tratamiento paliativo, también conocido como enantiopático). Aunque el efecto de rebate ha sido estudiado por la farmacología moderna, este ha sido poco difundido y discutido entre los profesionales de la salud, quienes en muchas ocasiones han sido privados de información crucial necesaria para el manejo seguro de los medicamentos actuales. En este artículo se presenta una revisión actual sobre el efecto de rebate de los medicamentos modernos que fundamentan el principio homeopático de curación y alerta a los médicos sobre este tipo de efecto adverso que usualmente no se notifica. EI efecto de rebate de los medicamentos modernos paliativos fue señalado por Hahnemann hace más de dos siglas, mencionando que éste puede causar efectos adversos fatales, los cuales pueden ser evidenciados como en el caso del ácido acetilsalicílico, los agentes antiinflamatorios, antidepresivos, broncodilatadores, las estatinas, los inhibidores de la bomba de protones, etc. Aunque el efecto de rebate solamente se presenta en una pequeña fracción de individuas (susceptibles) y puede ser evitado mediante una disminución gradual de los medicamentos antipáticos, este ha de mostrado una importancia epidemiológica significativa como resultado del uso masivo de tales drogas paliativas y la falta de conocimiento a este respecto. (AU)

The homeopathic model considers the secondary action or the organism vital reaction of the body as a therapeutic method and therefore prescribes treatments by the principle of similarity, which consists to administer to the sick person substances that have caused similar symptoms in healthy individuals. The vital homeostatic or paradoxical reaction of an organism may be explained scientifically based on the rebound effect of modem drugs, which can cause fatal iatrogenic events after discontinuation of the antipathic treatment (a term used in alternative medicine for palliative, also known as enantiopathic). Although the rebound effect has been studied by modem pharmacology, this was not widely known and discussed among health professionals, who have often been deprived of crucial information necessary for the safe handing of current medications. This article presents a current review on the rebound effect of modem medicines as a fundament of homeopathic healing, and alert doctors about these side effects usually are not notified.The rebound effect of modem palliative drugs, which was pointed out by Hahnemann more than two centuries ago, might cause fatal adverse events, which might be illustrated with the examples of acetylsalicylic acid, anti-inflammatory agents, bronchodilators, antidepressants, statins, proton-pump inhibitors, etc. Although the rebound effect is expressed by a small fraction of (susceptible) individuals and might be avoided by gradual tapering of antipathic drugs, it exhibits epidemiologic importance as a function of the massive use of such palliative drugs and lack of knowledge in its regard. (AU)

El efecto rebote de las drogas: un riesgo fatal para el tratamiento convencional y una base farmacológica para el tratamiento homeopático / Rebound effect of drugs: fatal risk of conventional treatment and parmacological basis of homeopathic treatment

El modelo homeopático considera la acción secundaria o la reacción vital del organismo como un método terapéutico y, por lo tanto prescribe tratamientos por el principio de similitud; éste consiste en administrar a los individuas enfermos sustancias que han causado síntomas similares en individuas sanas. La reacción vital homeostática o paradójica de un organismo puede ser explicada científicamente en base al efecto de rebate de los medicamentos modernos, el cual puede causar eventos iatrogénicos fatales posteriores a la suspensión de un tratamiento antipático (un término utilizado en medicina alternativa para el tratamiento paliativo, también conocido como enantiopático). Aunque el efecto de rebate ha sido estudiado por la farmacología moderna, este ha sido poco difundido y discutido entre los profesionales de la salud, quienes en muchas ocasiones han sido privados de información crucial necesaria para el manejo seguro de los medicamentos actuales. En este artículo se presenta una revisión actual sobre el efecto de rebate de los medicamentos modernos que fundamentan el principio homeopático de curación y alerta a los médicos sobre este tipo de efecto adverso que usualmente no se notifica. EI efecto de rebate de los medicamentos modernos paliativos fue señalado por Hahnemann hace más de dos siglas, mencionando que éste puede causar efectos adversos fatales, los cuales pueden ser evidenciados como en el caso del ácido acetilsalicílico, los agentes antiinflamatorios, antidepresivos, broncodilatadores, las estatinas, los inhibidores de la bomba de protones, etc. Aunque el efecto de rebate solamente se presenta en una pequeña fracción de individuas (susceptibles) y puede ser evitado mediante una disminución gradual de los medicamentos antipáticos, este ha de mostrado una importancia epidemiológica significativa como resultado del uso masivo de tales drogas paliativas y la falta de conocimiento a este respecto.

The homeopathic model considers the secondary action or the organism vital reaction of the body as a therapeutic method and therefore prescribes treatments by the principle of similarity, which consists to administer to the sick person substances that have caused similar symptoms in healthy individuals. The vital homeostatic or paradoxical reaction of an organism may be explained scientifically based on the rebound effect of modem drugs, which can cause fatal iatrogenic events after discontinuation of the antipathic treatment (a term used in alternative medicine for palliative, also known as enantiopathic). Although the rebound effect has been studied by modem pharmacology, this was not widely known and discussed among health professionals, who have often been deprived of crucial information necessary for the safe handing of current medications. This article presents a current review on the rebound effect of modem medicines as a fundament of homeopathic healing, and alert doctors about these side effects usually are not notified.The rebound effect of modem palliative drugs, which was pointed out by Hahnemann more than two centuries ago, might cause fatal adverse events, which might be illustrated with the examples of acetylsalicylic acid, anti-inflammatory agents, bronchodilators, antidepressants, statins, proton-pump inhibitors, etc. Although the rebound effect is expressed by a small fraction of (susceptible) individuals and might be avoided by gradual tapering of antipathic drugs, it exhibits epidemiologic importance as a function of the massive use of such palliative drugs and lack of knowledge in its regard.

Claudicación intermitente por arteriopatía oclusiva progresiva de los miembros inferiores (AOPMI). Resultados del tratamiento homeopático (parte 1) / Claudication intermittent arterial occlusive progressive of the lower limbs (AOPMI). Results of homeopathic treatment (part 1)

Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo con el objetivo de mostrar el resultados del tratamiento conservador en un grupo de pacientes con Insuficiencia Arterial Crónica (IAC) sin criterios de operabilidad, atendidos en el servicio de Angiología del Hospital Provincial"Manuel Ascunce D." y seguidos en la consulta de Homeopatía de la Clínica de la Universidad Médica "Carlos J. Finlay", en el período comprendido entre Noviembro del 2004 a Julio 2005.(AU)

Claudicación intermitente por arteriopatía oclusiva progresiva de los miembros inferiores (AOPMI). Resultados del tratamiento homeopático (parte 1) / Claudication intermittent arterial occlusive progressive of the lower limbs (AOPMI). Results of homeopathic treatment (part 1)

Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo con el objetivo de mostrar el resultados del tratamiento conservador en un grupo de pacientes con Insuficiencia Arterial Crónica (IAC) sin criterios de operabilidad, atendidos en el servicio de Angiología del Hospital Provincial"Manuel Ascunce D." y seguidos en la consulta de Homeopatía de la Clínica de la Universidad Médica "Carlos J. Finlay", en el período comprendido entre Noviembro del 2004 a Julio 2005.