Ultrastructure of platelets and fibrin networks of asthmatic mice exposed to selenium and Withania somnifera.

Platelets and fibrin play an important role in allergic processes, including allergic asthma. The asthmatic BALB/c mouse model was used to induce asthma, and asthmatic mice were treated with the anti-inflammatory plant Withania somnifera, separately and in combination with the antioxidant selenium. Selenium is an important supplement in asthma, because asthmatics may have a selenium deficiency.

Comparisons of the fibrin networks during pregnancy, nonpregnancy and pregnancy during dysfibrinogenaemia using the scanning electron microscope.

In normal pregnancy there is an increase in procoagulant activity. Furthermore, the fibrinolytic activity is impaired and remains low during labor and delivery, but returns rapidly to normal, following delivery. Here, we show ultrastructural changes in fibrin networks found in pregnant individuals and nonpregnant individuals.

Ultrastructural comparison of the morphology of three different platelet and fibrin fiber preparations.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the ultrastructural morphology of three different sources of fibrin networks and platelets, namely, lyophilized human platelet-rich plasma (LPRP), freshly prepared human platelet-rich plasma (FPRP), and human platelet concentrate (HPC). The ultrastructural morphology of the three different fibrin networks was studied using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Turbidity curves were drawn at 405 nm at room temperature and fibrinogen concentrations were measured.