Elevated urinary levels of thromboxane and prostacyclin metabolities in sickle cell disease reflects activated platelets in the circulation.

There is evidence for increased factor VII turnover and the associated increased thrombin generation and fibrinolytic activities in sickle cell disease (SCD) that may affect in vivo platelet and endothelial cell reactivity. We studied the release of specific eicosanoids that are indicative of in vivo platelet activation and endothelial cell injury. The circulating and urinary levels of 2,3-dinor thromboxane B2(2,3-dinor-TxB2),TxB2,PGI2 [as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha], and PGE2 were measured in 15HbSS patients, eight HbAA non-haemolytic anaemic individuals and 12 healthy HbAA controls using specific RIAs.

IgG subclass alterations in adult asthma.

Immunoglobulin levels were measured in serum samples of 12 black adult non-smoking asthmatic patients, 11 females and 1 male, and compared with 15 age-, sex-matched normal controls. Their total IgG, IgA and IgM levels were within the normal range. However, on quantitation of subclasses, IgG1 levels were significantly above normal, while IgG2 and IgG3 levels were significantly lower than those of controls.

Selenium and glutathione peroxidase levels in sickle cell anemia.

Levels of plasma selenium (Se) and glutathione peroxidase were measured in 20 sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients not in crisis and in 14 nonanemic control subjects. The results show that the levels of Se and glutathione peroxidase were significantly (p less than 0.005) lower than those of controls in both plasma and whole blood.

Alterations in IgG subclasses in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Decreased IgG subclass levels in pyogenic infections and immunocompromised situations have been described. A study was made to determine IgG subclass levels in four groups of 68 Hispanic patients. The first group consisted of 25 terminal patients with AIDS, the second group of 20 i.