Introduction: Platelets have essential functions as first responders in the immune response to pathogens. Activation and aggregation of platelets in bacterial infections can lead to life-threatening conditions such as arterial thromboembolism or sepsis-associated coagulopathy.
Methods: In this study, we investigated the role of complement in (-induced platelet aggregation in human whole blood, using Multiplate aggregometry, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy.
In the inherited metabolic disorder acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), high sugar intake prevents porphyric attacks due to the glucose effect and the following high insulin levels that may lower AIP disease activity. Insulin resistance is a known risk factor for periodontitis and sugar changes diabetogenic hormones and affects dental health. We hypothesized differences in homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) scores for insulin resistance in AIP cases vs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Air embolism may complicate invasive medical procedures. Bubbles trigger complement C3-mediated cytokine release, coagulation, and platelet activation in human whole blood. Since these findings have not been verified , we aimed to examine the effects of air embolism in pigs on thromboinflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThrombin activation of C5 connects thrombosis to inflammation. Complement research in whole blood ex vivo necessitates anticoagulation, which potentially interferes with the inflammatory modulation by thrombin. We challenged the concept of thrombin as an activator of native C5 by analyzing complement activation and C5 cleavage in human whole blood anticoagulated with Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro (GPRP), a peptide targeting fibrin polymerization downstream of thrombin, allowing complete endogenous thrombin generation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCholesterol crystals (CC) are strong activators of complement and could potentially be involved in thromboinflammation through complement-coagulation cross-talk. To explore the coagulation-inducing potential of CC, we performed studies in lepirudin-based human whole blood and plasma models. In addition, immunohistological examinations of brain thrombi and vulnerable plaque material from patients with advanced carotid atherosclerosis were performed using polarization filter reflected light microscopy to identify CC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Lifestyle factors, including a low intake of carbohydrates, dieting, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and stress are some of the possible triggers of attacks in acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). The influence of lifestyle factors, including energy intake, diet and alcohol consumption on the biochemical disease activity in AIP and biochemical nutritional markers were examined.
Methods: A case-control study with 50 AIP cases and 50 controls matched for age, sex and place of residence was performed.
Background: Morbidly obese patients are at risk of developing insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. Low-grade systemic inflammation is an important factor for this development. We evaluated the effect of bariatric surgery on markers of inflammation, coagulation and glucose metabolism.
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