Articles tagged with Platelets
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a common gene variant associated with reduced response to Plavix, a popular anti-clotting medication. The study confirms a previously reported link between the CYP2C19 gene and decreased response to clopidogrel.
A genetic variation, CYP2C19*2, affects platelet response to clopidogrel and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The study found that carriers of the variant had a higher likelihood of experiencing a cardiovascular ischemic event or death compared to non-carriers after 1 year of follow-up.
A study found that pre-transplant platelet transfusions may increase the likelihood of bone marrow transplant rejection, according to Emory University researchers. The team used a mouse model to simulate human conditions and found that platelets can trigger an immune response that leads to graft rejection.
Cerebral microbleeds, small deposits of hemosiderin in the brain, are more common among older adults taking anti-clotting medications like aspirin. The study found an association between these medications and brain microbleeds, particularly among those taking higher doses.
A new medication called Promacta has shown promising results in treating ITP, with 59% of patients achieving platelet counts at or over 50,000 per microliter of blood. The treatment works by stimulating the production of cells in bone marrow that form platelet cells in the blood.
Scientists have identified platelets as a contributor to organ failure in patients with sepsis. The study found that granzyme B production in platelets can cause cell death, leading to organ failure. Researchers hope this discovery will lead to better treatments and potentially even prevention of organ failure.
A new review by Johns Hopkins scientists highlights the importance of platelets in organ transplant rejection, revealing their role in driving inflammatory responses. This research could lead to the development of new strategies using drugs or other means to keep platelets quiet and non-inflammatory.
A new study at Ohio State University Medical Center has successfully grown human blood platelets in a laboratory for transfusion. The three-dimensional bioreactor produced up to 1.2 million platelets per day, continuing production for over 32 days.
The study presents a new combination therapy for previously untreated ITP, an investigational oral treatment for chronic ITP, and a low-dose platelet transfusion strategy. These approaches aim to minimize bleeding episodes in patients with platelet disorders.
Researchers have identified a molecular defect underlying male infertility and its link to melanoma development. The discovery highlights the potential for targeting specific signaling pathways to develop new treatments.
Research studies and clinical registry data suggest that triple antiplatelet therapy achieves greater platelet inhibition than conventional dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents. This leads to reduced early mortality and major adverse cardiac events without in...
Researchers at Rice University have developed a purification method that filters out impurities from gold nanorods, resulting in solutions that are more than 99% pure. The discovery has significant implications for the emerging U.S. nanotechnology industry.
Researchers found that oral bacteria can cause platelets to clot in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and leading to heart attacks. Studies demonstrated that certain proteins on the bacteria play a crucial role in this process, highlighting the need for new treatments and vaccines.
Patients with suboptimal response to aspirin and/or clopidogrel showed a significant reduction in myocardial damage during percutaneous coronary intervention when treated with tailored infusion of tirofiban. This treatment strategy aims to modulate intensity of treatment based on individual platelet reactivity.
Researchers at Queen's University have found a new approach to regulating enzymes involved in blood clotting, potentially leading to novel treatments for heart attacks and strokes. The study targets the enzyme PDE5, which is also used in Viagra, and shows its selective inhibition could prevent platelet activation.
Platelet activation plays a key role in the development of cerebral malaria by triggering an immune response and obstructing blood vessels in the brain. Researchers found that treating mice with aspirin or Plavix improved survival rates when administered soon after infection.
A phase I/II study found that intrabone administration of unrelated cord-blood cells increased the number of patients who could receive hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. The technique reduced the incidence of graft-versus-host disease, a common complication of allogeneic transplants.
Researchers have created a new source of platelets that can be used for transfusions, addressing the risk of blood infections and improving clotting function. The innovative approach involves using a stem cell population already committed to becoming platelets, and blocking enzymes that cause clotting defects.
Researchers have found that cigarette smoke significantly worsens the consequences of viral infections in mice, leading to increased immune responses and airway damage. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying the negative impact of cigarette smoke on lung health and may have implications for human disease preven...
Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a bleeding disorder caused by platelet function defects. A rare case of HPS presents with gastroduodenal ulcers, which may be confused with bleeding due to the underlying platelet issue.
A new study found that intensive antiplatelet therapy with prasugrel reduces ischemic events, including stent thrombosis, compared to standard clopidogrel. The treatment shows promise for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
Researchers at OHSU and Washington University have identified the mechanism of a bioengineered enzyme that functions efficiently as a potent clot busting agent, retaining minimal power to cause clot building. The breakthrough could lead to a safe alternative for treating heart attacks and strokes with a $20 billion market potential.
A combination of two platelet inhibitors, aspirin and APT102, reduced bone tumors in laboratory mice with breast or melanoma cancer. The drugs work by blocking platelets' ability to clot and aid tumor cells, slowing down metastasis.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo found that up to 20% of patients taking aspirin for stroke and heart attack prevention do not respond to the medication, leading to increased risk of clinical failure. The study also identified factors associated with aspirin resistance, including younger age and underlying vascular disease.
A study by Rush University Medical Center found that half of patients receiving cerebrovascular stents did not adequately respond to clopidogrel. The researchers identified a significant association between older age and diabetes with platelet activity, suggesting these patients may require alternative approaches.
A clinical trial shows that romiplostim significantly improved platelet levels in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a hematologic disorder that can cause uncontrolled bleeding. The novel drug duplicates the action of a natural hormone discovered by MGH investigator, offering low toxicity and high response rates.
A Phase 2 study found eltrombopag increased platelet counts in 74% of patients with low platelet counts and cirrhosis due to hepatitis C. The drug also allowed more patients to complete antiviral therapy, with 36-65% completing treatment at the lowest and highest doses.
Researchers found that eltrombopag boosted platelet counts in a majority of patients with low platelet counts and cirrhosis due to HCV infection, allowing most to continue or start conventional antiviral treatment. The study's results are an important development for people infected with the hepatitis C virus worldwide.
A Phase 2 study found that eltrombopag elevated platelet counts to a safe level in over 75% of chronic ITP patients within two weeks, reducing bleeding symptoms. The therapy also showed similar incidence and severity of adverse effects compared to the placebo group.
Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified calpain-1 as a key enzyme in blood clot formation, which could lead to safer anti-clotting treatments. The study also found elevated protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B levels in mice lacking calpain-1, potentially providing insights into diabetes and obesity research.
Researchers found that platelets' GPIIb/IIIa receptors stimulate neutrophils to produce TNF, a key inflammatory compound. This discovery may lead to the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs targeting these receptors.
Researchers have identified a protein on the surface of platelets that plays a key role in cancer-induced platelet aggregation, allowing cancer cells to evade the immune system and spread throughout the body. By blocking the interaction between podoplanin and CLEC-2, it may be possible to prevent tumor metastasis.
A new study aims to identify markers for deadly blood clots in menopausal women by analyzing blood platelets. Researchers are testing their theory as part of the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study, with hopes that it can lead to tools for doctors to provide hormonal therapy commensurate with a woman's risk.
A global struggle to provide adequate and safe blood supplies in the developing world is highlighted by The Lancet Editorial. Many countries are making progress in implementing strategies to reduce unnecessary transfusions, test for compatibility, and establish voluntary donor programs.
A study by University of Cincinnati researcher David Hom found that treating skin wounds with a concentrated topical gel of the patient's own blood platelets resulted in faster healing. The gel showed a statistically significant increased wound closure compared to antibiotic ointment, with some sites closing up to two days earlier.
A preliminary study suggests that autologous platelet gel can enhance wound closure in acute full-thickness dermal wounds, with statistically increased closure rates compared to controls. The gel is rich in platelets important for blood clotting and appears to promote healing by increasing new tissue appearance.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that aspirin therapy is four times more likely to be ineffective in women compared to men with the same medical history. The researchers used a device to test platelet reactivity and found that gender was a predictor for aspirin resistance, rather than medical history.
A recent study found that combining a platelet inhibitor with an embolic protection device improves renal function in patients undergoing renal artery stenting. The use of abciximab reduced the occurrence of platelet-rich thrombi, while Angioguard alone was not associated with improved outcomes.
Researchers discovered platelets' short life span is set by a prosurvival protein that degrades over time, triggering apoptosis. This finding may lead to extending platelet storage from five days to eight or ten days, benefiting patients undergoing chemotherapy and blood transfusions.
Researchers at Research Australia have made a major breakthrough in understanding how platelet life span is controlled. By regulating apoptosis, two specialized molecules can extend or shorten platelet lifespan, opening up new possibilities for improving patient care and managing diseases such as cancer and blood clots.
Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure has been shown to have long-lasting deleterious effects on cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine function in offspring. Additionally, research has identified a protein implicated in both autism and leukemia, with aberrant splicing detected in individuals with these conditions.
A therapeutic peptide, 37AA, has been developed to target the protein p73, which can induce tumor cell death. The study found that the peptide killed both p53-sufficient and p53-deficient human tumor cell lines. Additionally, a tissue-resident population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was discovered in transplanted human lungs, with ...
AkaRx Inc. presents Phase I clinical data of AKR-501, a TPO receptor agonist that mimics the effect of thrombopoietin to stimulate platelet production, with a 50% increase in platelet count in healthy volunteers. The results suggest potential for safe and effective treatment of thrombocytopenia in various diseases.
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers used RNA interference (RNAi) to silence the gene encoding prion protein, suppressing its accumulation in mice. This breakthrough provides hope for developing a new therapeutic approach to treat neurodegenerative disorders like CJD and BSE. Further research is ne...
A study found that eating small amounts of dark chocolate daily can decrease the tendency of platelets to clot in narrow blood vessels, reducing heart attack risk. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 139 'chocolate offenders' who were excluded from a larger aspirin study and found them to be less reactive than those who abstained.
Researchers at Iowa State University are improving plastics made from corn and soy proteins by adding nanoclays and using high-powered ultrasonics. The goal is to create strong, biodegradable plastics with potential applications in packaging, disposable wraps, and other industries.
Researchers discovered a biochemical signaling pathway between blood platelets and monocytes that triggers production of Cox-2, an enzyme involved in heart attack, stroke, and other inflammatory diseases. This finding offers hope for developing new drugs to modify Cox-2 production and prevent or lessen the severity of these conditions.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have reconstructed the signaling pathways that regulate activation of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa, a critical receptor in platelet function. The study provides a powerful tool for studying therapeutic targets and developing new antithrombotic drugs.
Researchers identified a platelet-regulating gene mutation involved in lupus nephritis, and a novel adhesion molecule implicated in rheumatoid arthritis. The study suggests links between the mutations, loss of protein expression, defect in platelet function, and regression of kidney damage.
Researchers found that Terry's brain underwent axonal re-growth, allowing for basic motor function and speech recovery. The study suggests a method to monitor brain function and track potential recovery in severely brain-damaged patients.
A new artificial preservative has increased the storage period of blood platelets to 7 days, reducing the need for frequent transfusions and lowering the risk of adverse reactions. This innovation could have significant global implications for patients in critical need of platelet transfusions.
Researchers found that low-dose aspirin prevents platelet clumping in both sexes, with women's platelets reacting more strongly to aspirin before treatment. The study suggests that further research is needed to determine who benefits from aspirin and under what circumstances it works.
A study by Ohio State University researchers discovered a set of 17 miRNAs turned off during normal megakaryocyte differentiation, creating a molecular signature for healthy platelets. In contrast, 10 miRNAs were found to be turned on in acute megakaryoblastic leukemia cells, suggesting a potential target for new therapies.
A new device called DLS-PM measures the quality of blood platelets, allowing for longer storage and improved matching with patients. This innovation has the potential to increase the availability of platelets globally, particularly in crisis situations.
Researchers at UNC have identified CIB1 as a 'gatekeeper' protein that inhibits platelet-to-platelet interactions in the blood. By binding to GPIIb/IIIa, CIB1 prevents platelet activation and clot formation.
Researchers have discovered that polyphosphate accelerates blood clotting and delays its breakdown, leading to longer-lasting clots. The Center for Hemostasis Research at the University of Illinois will continue to study this discovery to develop effective treatments for uncontrollable bleeding.
Researchers found that dark chocolate improved arterial flow and reduced platelet activity, benefiting vascular health in smokers. A daily treat of 40g dark chocolate improved smoothness of arterial flow for eight hours.
A long-term study showed that AMG 531 increased platelet counts in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), with 47% of patients experiencing a durable response. The treatment was generally well-tolerated, but some serious adverse events were reported.
Researchers found that certain carbon nanoparticles activate human platelets and stimulate blood clotting, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The study also revealed that some nanoparticles mimic molecular bridges involved in platelet interactions.
Prestoraged pooled platelets have been shown to have an equivalent clinical response and quality to platelets pooled at the time of transfusion, increasing platelet availability and reducing hospital costs. The Pall eBDS System has demonstrated high sensitivity in detecting bacteria in pooled platelets.