Immediate infusional reactions to intravenous immunobiological agents for the treatment of autoimmune diseases: experience of 2126 procedures in a non-oncologic infusion centre.

Introduction: With the increasing use of immunobiological drugs (IBD), the knowledge about their effectiveness and safety has increased.

Objective: To analyze the immediate infusional reactions (IIR) to intravenous IBD: infliximab (IFX), rituximab (RTX), abatacept (ABT) and tocilizumab (TCZ) on the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Method: 2126 infusions performed in the Infusion Centre - CID in 268 patients were analyzed.

Effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment on the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway and oxidative status in platelets.

Several studies have suggested an increase of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk on periodontitis patients. An enhancement has been demonstrated on both platelet activation and oxidative stress on periodontitis patients, which may contribute for this association. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment on the l-arginine-nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway and oxidative status in platelets.

Low plasma levels of L-arginine, impaired intraplatelet nitric oxide and platelet hyperaggregability: implications for cardiovascular disease in depressive patients.

Background: Major depression (MD) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor, but the exact mechanisms are not clear. In this study we have investigated the intraplatelet L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway and platelet function in depressive patients.

Methods: Nineteen unmedicated patients with MD (34±4years) and 19 control subjects (CS, 34±3years) were included.

Increased nitric oxide production in platelets from severe chronic renal failure patients.

Nitric oxide (NO) production occurs through oxidation of the amino acid L-arginine by NO synthase (NOS). NO inhibits platelet activation by increasing the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), thus maintaining vascular homeostasis. Our group previously demonstrated (da Silva et al.

Characterization of the L-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rat platelets: the effects of pregnancy.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-lived intercellular messenger that provides an efficient vascular regulatory mechanism to support homeostasis and prevent thrombosis. Endothelial dysfunction and reduced NO bioavailability have a central role in hypertension associated with pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of pregnancy on the L-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway in platelets and its correlation to platelet function and blood pressure in normotensive rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).

Oxidative stress, l-arginine-nitric oxide and arginase pathways in platelets from adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with high cardiovascular mortality. Nitric oxide (NO) inhibits platelet function and regulates the cardiovascular homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the l-arginine-NO-GMPc and arginase pathways and oxidative stress in platelets from patients with AN.

Modulation of the cationic amino acid transport system y+L by surface potential, ouabain and thrombin in human platelets: effects of uremia.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO), a key endogenous mediator involved in the maintenance of platelet function, is synthesized from the amino acid L-arginine. We have shown that L-arginine transport in platelets is rate-limiting for NO synthesis. A disturbance in the L-arginine-NO pathway in platelets was previously described in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients.