Antiretroviral changes during the first year of therapy.

Introduction: The Brazilian HIV/AIDS management and treatment guideline (PCDT), published in 2013, recommends and standardizes the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in all adult patients, in spite of LTCD4 count. This study aimed to analyze the first year of HAART use in patients from a reference center on HIV/AIDS management in Fortaleza, Ceará.

Method: This descriptive study reviewed all prescription forms of antiretroviral regimens initiation and changes from January to July 2014.

The Effect of a Selective Inhibitor of Phosphodiesterase-9 on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Cytotoxicity in Neutrophils from Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia.

The aim of the study was to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of BAY 73-6691 on neutrophils from SCA patients. This study included 35 patients with a molecular diagnosis of SCA, whose neutrophils were isolated and treated with BAY 73-6691 at the concentrations 100, 10, 1.0 and 0.

Kidney dysfunction and beta S-haplotypes in patients with sickle cell disease.

Objective: To investigate the association between kidney dysfunction and haplotypes in sickle cell disease.

Methods: A cohort of 84 sickle cell disease patients, treated in a public health service in Fortaleza, Brazil, was studied. Hemoglobin S haplotypes were obtained from 57 patients as they had recently received blood transfusions with 18 of them agreeing to undertake urinary concentrating ability and acidification tests.

Impact of β(S)-globin haplotypes on oxidative stress in patients with sickle cell anemia in steady state.

Background And Aims: In Brazil, sickle cell anemia (SCA) is one of the most common genetic disorders. The levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) may be influenced by the presence of genetic modifiers; among these are the β(S)-globin haplotypes, associated with the clinical heterogeneity presented by the disease. Patients with SCA have an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant capacity, generating oxidative stress.

Correlation of low levels of nitrite and high levels of fetal hemoglobin in patients with sickle cell disease at baseline.

Background: Sickle cell disease is a hemoglobinopathy characterized by hemolytic anemia, increased susceptibility to infections and recurrent vaso-occlusive crises that reduces the quality of life of sufferers.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation of the levels of lactate dehydrogenase, malonaldehyde and nitrite to fetal hemoglobin in patients with sickle cell disease not under treatment with hydroxyurea in outpatients at a university hospital in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.

Methods: Forty-four patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease were enrolled at baseline.

DNA damage in leukocytes of sickle cell anemia patients is associated with hydroxyurea therapy and with HBB*S haplotype.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is the primary pharmacologic agent for preventing the complications and improving the quality of life of sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients. Although HU has been associated with an increased risk of leukemia in some patients with myeloproliferative disorders, the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of HU has not been established. This study used the alkaline comet assay to investigate DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes from 41 individuals with SCA treated with HU (SCAHU) and from 26 normal individuals.

Study of correlation of nitrite levels with malonaldehyde and the prognosis of patients with sickle cell disease on hydroxyurea, Ceará-Brazil.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is the only drug approved for the induction of fetal hemoglobin. Besides this benefit, there are others such as the reduction of leukocyte and generation of nitric oxide (NO). Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia and vaso-occlusive phenomena.

Analysis of oxidative status and biochemical parameters in adult patients with sickle cell anemia treated with hydroxyurea, Ceará, Brazil.

Background: Sickle cell anemia is a hemoglobinopathy caused by a mutation that results in the production of an abnormal hemoglobin molecule, hemoglobin S (Hb S). This is responsible for profound physiological changes, such as the sickling of red blood cells. Several studies have shown that hydroxyurea protects against vaso-occlusive crises.

Evaluation of the concentration of malondialdehyde and nitrite in patients with sickle cell anemia treated or not with hydroxyurea.

Objective: To determine the serum levels of malondialdehyde and nitrite in patients with sickle cell anemia treated or not with hydroxyurea in outpatient's setting.

Methods: Of the 65 patients with sickle cell anemia selected for the study, 51 were not treated with hydroxyurea (Group 1), 14 made chronic use of hydroxyurea (Group 2) and 20 individuals had no hemoglobinopathies (Control Group).

Results: The Control Group had a lower and more homogeneous concentration of malondialdehyde levels as compared to the other groups.