The effect of a low copper diet on blood cholesterol and enzymic antioxidant defense mechanisms in male and female rats.

The effect of copper deficiency on blood cholesterol and antioxidant defense mechanisms was investigated in male and female rats. Diets low in copper (Cu, 0.3 mg/kg) were given to a group of male (n = 5) and a group of female (n = 5), weanling Wistar rats for ten weeks. Diets containing adequate copper (Cu, 3.7 mg/kg) fed to another group of males (n = 5) and another group of females (n = 5) served as controls. Serum cholesterol levels and erythrocyte, granulocyte, lymphocyte and macrophage antioxidant enzyme activities were compared. Only copper deficient males showed increased serum cholesterol levels compared to controls. There were no significantly differences in erythrocyte measurements due to copper status, but males had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher haemoglobin levels, and erythrocyte catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities than females. Low copper diets significantly decreased granulocyte SOD (P less than 0.01) in males, peritoneal macrophage SOD in females and lymphocyte SOD (P less than 0.05) in both sexes. Female controls had significantly (P less than 0.01) higher macrophage SOD than male controls and lymphocyte SOD was significantly higher in females. Results demonstrate sex differentiated effects of low copper diets on blood cholesterol and antioxidant defence mechanisms.

Whole blood platelet function assay on the ICHOR point-of-care hematology analyzer.

The role of platelets as the initial defense against insult to the vasculature is well established. Moreover, platelets are now recognized as having a critical role in the acute care settings of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures and cardiac catheterization. In the environment of CPB, both platelet count and function have been demonstrated as being markedly compromised during and following the procedure. Unfortunately, current assays that are used to evaluate the parameters of platelet count and function are limited in regard to their utility in a near patient format. Here, we describe a practical, rapid, and user-friendly whole blood platelet function assay that has been developed for the ICHOR point-of-care hematology analyzer. This analyzer is capable of performing an eight parameter blood profile including platelet count. In comparable studies, platelet aggregation in whole blood demonstrated good correlation (for ADP the values were n = 14, r2 = 0.81, p = 0.0001; for collagen, n = 10, r2 = 0.93, p = 0.0001; for ristocetin, n = 10, r2 = 0.89, p = 0.0001; and for epinephrine, n = 10, r2 = 0.81, p = 0.0003) with traditional platelet-rich aggregometry, which uses increased light transmission as an indication of platelet aggregation. Furthermore, early feasibility studies in CPB patients demonstrated both decreased platelet count and a marked reduction in platelet function peri-procedurally. This new assay of platelet function is extremely suitable for the clinical environment with rapid turnaround time and provides a full hematology profile to enhance transfusion decisions.

Iron sufficiency in the population of Northern Ireland: estimates from blood measurements.

Estimates of iron status in a random sample (218 men, 283 women) of the Northern Ireland population (aged 18-64 years) were obtained from blood measurements. Multiple criteria were used to determine Fe deficiency and body Fe stores were calculated as an index of Fe sufficiency. Three distinct groups with respect to Fe stores were identified on the basis of sex and menstrual status. Estimates of body Fe stores, mean (and SD), were 13.4 (SD 5.97), 5.3 (SD 6.09) and 8.5 (SD 6.72) mM for men, woman aged 18-44 years and women aged 45-64 years respectively. The prevalence of Fe-deficiency anaemia was low, ranging from 0.5% in men to 6.6% and 4.6% in the younger and older women respectively. The prevalence of Fe deficiency was low in men (1.4%) and older women (5.7%) rising to 11.0% in the younger group of women. The disproportionately elevated serum ferritin relative to transferrin saturation supported the suggestion that chronic inflammation might have influenced Fe status measurements in men and older women.

Thrombus precursor protein (TpP): marker of thrombosis early in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction.

We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay for quantifying the immediate precursor proteins to intravascular thrombi. This thrombus precursor protein (TpP) assay identifies active thrombosis in several clinical conditions, including early myocardial infarction (MI). In a study of patients recruited for the GUSTO intervention study, MI patients had concentrations of TpP 4-20-fold that of controls; patients diagnosed without MI had concentrations similar to the control subjects. In a separate study of subjects presenting at the emergency room with chest pain, MI patients who presented early after the onset of chest pain had TpP concentrations significantly (P <0.01) higher than controls. Patients presenting late or diagnosed with other chest pain had concentrations within the reference range. The potential utility of the TpP assay as an aid for the diagnosis of thrombotic MI and other thrombotic conditions is described.