Differentiation and migration of Sca1+/CD31- cardiac side population cells in a murine myocardial ischemic model.

Background: Side population cells are a rare subset of cells found in the adult heart that are highly enriched for stem and progenitor cell activity. Recent studies have suggested that Sca1+/CD31- cardiac side population cells are capable of differentiation into cardiomyocytes in vitro. However, the response of these cells to myocardial injury remains unknown in vivo.

Modulation of platelet and leucocyte function by a Chinese herbal formulation as compared with conventional antiplatelet agents.

Platelet and leucocyte activity are important in the acute development of thrombosis and in the pathogenesis of ischaemic vascular disease. Dan Shen Di Wan (DS, Cardiotonic Pill or Dantonic(R) Pill) is one of the most commonly used Chinese herbal formulations for treating patients with atherosclerotic disease in China and several Asian countries. We studied the effect of DS on platelet and leucocyte function and compared the effects with conventional antiplatelet agents, cangrelor (ADP P2Y(12) receptor antagonist) and aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid, ASA).

Two distinct subgroups of tirofiban-induced thrombocytopenia exist due to drug dependent antibodies that cause platelet activation and increased ischaemic events.

Tirofiban-associated thrombocytopenia is due to drug-dependent antibodies (DDAbs) directed against the GPIIb/IIIa complex which can bind after drug-induced conformational changes to the receptor complex. In such cases a higher incidence of myocardial infarction and mortality has been reported raising the possibility of platelet activation. We followed consecutive cases treated with tirofiban to determine the incidence of thrombocytopenia and confirmed that this was due to tirofiban-dependent antibodies.