Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Campanula alliariifolia.

In this study, the chemical constituents of Campanula alliariifolia Willd. (Campanulaceae) are being investigated for the first time with the aid of this article. Five known compounds, which were quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, lobetyolin (9-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2,10-tetradecadien-4,6-diyne-8,14-diol) and lobetyol (2,10-tetradecadien-4,6-diyne-8,9,14-triol), were isolated from the methanol extract. The antioxidant activity of the methanol extract and the purified compounds of the plant was investigated with DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-picrilyhydrazyl) (free radical scavenging activity) and reducing power methods. The methanol extract has antioxidant capacity according to the mentioned methods. Lobetyol and lobetyolin showed significant antioxidant activity more than both methanol extract and other purified compounds.

Efficacy of prophylactic transfusions using single donor apheresis platelets versus pooled platelet concentrates in AML/MDS patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Superiority of single-donor apheresis platelets (SDAP) over pooled platelet concentrates (PPC) transfusions is largely assumed, but unproven. We hypothesized that prophylactic SDAP and PPC transfusions are clinically equivalent after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). We studied all transfusions administered to 33 patients with AML/MDS during the first 100 days after busulfan-based, myeloablative HSCT. All donor-recipient pairs were ABO identical. Transfusion threshold was a platelet count < or =15 x 10(9)/l. The corrected increment (CCI) was used for all comparisons. Median time to platelet engraftment was 13 days (n=30). PPC transfusions (n=105) were ABO compatible, while 10% of 41 SDAP were not (P=0.006). Median post-transfusion platelet count was 51K/microl (5-118K) after SDAP and 36K/microl (3-115K) after PPC (P=0.0004). Median CCI was 14.178 (SDAP) versus 7.793 (PPC) (P=0.0001). Median time to another transfusion was 3 days (SDAP) and 2 days (PPC; P=0.3). In the week following any given transfusion, the median number of new transfusions was similar (n=2), as well as the need of further transfusion (16 versus 24%, P=0.2). A total of 17% of SDAP and 30% of PPC transfusions were labeled 'ineffective' (P=0.1). There were two non-lethal hemorrhage episodes (6%). SDAP transfusions produced better platelet counts, but SDAP and PPC were equally effective in preventing hemorrhage.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in southern Turkey: a single-center experience of 29 cases.

In this retrospective, nonrandomized study, we describe our experience in the management of 29 consecutive patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) treated with a combined therapy of plasma exchange (PE) and steroids at a single center. We compared the effectiveness of high-dose steroids (20-25 mg/kg methyl prednisolone) as first-line treatment in combination with PE therapy with the combination of standard-dose steroids (1 mg/kg methyl prednisolone) and PE in adult patients with TTP. Clinical, laboratory data and treatment outcomes such as response rate, median time to recovery and survival were evaluated retrospectively. Overall (OR) and complete (CR) response rates were 69 and 52% respectively. Similar response rates were found in patients treated with pulse or conventional dose steroids; however, the median time to response was delayed in the high-dose methyl prednisolone (HDP) group. The median time from the initiation of symptoms to initiation of treatment was approximately 15 days (range: 0-30). Delayed treatment in our patients because of delayed referral to our center resulted in poor response to treatment. In all, four of 14 (27%) complete responders experienced relapses. The predicted relapse rate was 48% at a median of 30 months. All the relapses presented with a combination of thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. This analysis showed that high-dose steroid treatment did not prove to be beneficial for TTP patients as firstline therapy combined with PE. Moreover, pulse steroid interventions might have resulted in delayed responses and our data suggest that initiation of treatment with PE should not be delayed.

Levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione and ascorbic acid in idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder, which causes an acute or chronic thrombocytopenia, and may result in potentially life-threatening haemorrhage. Oxidative damage may be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Antibodies to bind to membrane lipids and platelet destruction may play a role on lipid peroxidation in ITP. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the posible role of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in patients with ITP. DESIGN: The levels of plasma and erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte glutathione and ascorbic acid were analysed in patients with ITP. METHODS. The MDA levels were performed according to the method of Bidlack WR. Plasma MDA, erythrocyte glutathione and ascorbic acid levels were carried out according to the methods of Ohkawa H, Beutler E and Bauer JD, respectively. RESULTS: The erythrocyte and plasma MDA levels in patients with ITP were found to be 9.52+/-4.65, 3.03+/-1.44 (p<0.001) and in control group were found to be 2.49+/-0.57, 1.03+/-0.28 nmol/ml (p<0.001), respectively. Erythrocyte glutathione was found to be 3.71+/-0.82, 6.26+/-0.66 micromol/gr Hb (p<0.001). Ascorbic acid levels of these groups were 1.09+/-0.25, 1.70+/-0.33 mg/dl (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The oxidative damage is involved in the pathogenesis of ITP. In patients with ITP, the platelet destruction and bleeding may play significant role on elevation of lipid peroxidation and reduction of antioxidant capacity. Further studies on oxidant and antioxidant status of ITP are also needed to confirm these results.