OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of adhesion molecules, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in divers post 480 heliox saturation diving.

METHODSFour divers were compressed within 96 hours to depths of 480 m with heliox-oxygen and held at the designated depth for 49 hours, excursion to 493 m during their saturation stay, then decompressed within 302 hours to the surface. The blood samples were collected before compression and post decompression, the expression level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), E-selectin, P-selectin, cAMP, cGMP were detected with ELISA analysis box.

RESULTSCompared with the levels of CAMs before compression, the levels of ICAM-1, E-selectin, P-selectin and cGMP in the serum were changed post decompression (P > 0.05). The levels of cAMP were significantly elevated post decompression (629.91 +/- 75.01) nmol/L vs (66.72 +/- 83.15) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe decompression schedule in this heliox saturation diving is safe, the decompression sickness pathology in this diving has not been induced. But the stress response of divers are enhanced by this great depth saturation diving.

Cyclic AMP ; blood ; Diving ; physiology ; E-Selectin ; blood ; Helium ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Oxygen ; P-Selectin ; blood

BACKGROUNDAdhesion molecules play an important role in the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to compare concentrations of soluble forms of adhesion molecules in patients with different clinical presentations of coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-eight patients with CAD were divided into three groups; the first group was acute myocardial infarction group (AMI group, n = 45), the second group was unstable angina pectoris group (UAP group, n = 48), the third group was stable angina pectoris group (SAP group, n = 35). We compared them with patients with normal coronary arteries (control group, n = 31). The serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin and P-selectin were measured in all subjects.

RESULTSThe serum level of VCAM-1 in the AMI group was significantly higher than in the UAP, SAP and control groups (P < 0.01). The level in the UAP group was significantly higher than the SAP group and control group (P < 0.01) and the level in the SAP group was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.01). The serum ICAM-1 level was significantly elevated in the AMI, UAP and SAP groups as compared to the control group (P < 0.01). The levels of serum E-selectin and P-selectin in the AMI and UAP groups were significantly higher than in the SAP and control groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIncreased levels of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, E-selectin and P-selectin, as markers of inflammation, showed the importance of inflammatory processes in the development of atherosclerosis and clinical expression of CAD. Soluble ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin and P-selectin concentrations are useful indicators of the presence of atherosclerosis and the severity of CAD clinical presentation.

Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; pathology ; E-Selectin ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; P-Selectin ; blood ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood

OBJECTIVEKawasaki disease (KD) is a kind of febrile disorder without definite etiology. The pathologic change of KD is characterized by nonspecific vasculitis, which mainly involves the coronary artery. Some patients may have coronary angioma formation, and some of them will result in the coronary narrowing or embolism. Notwithstanding that KD has been one of the most common causes for acquired heart diseases in childhood in addition to the rheumatic fever, the pathogenesis of the vascular damage remains unknown. This study was conducted to explore the pathophysiological role of cell adhesion molecules (P-selectin and E-selectin) on the endothelial lesions in KD, and to look for the evidence of direct relationship between the plasma levels of soluble cell adhesion molecules (P- and E-selectin) and the incidence of the coronary artery lesion (CAL).

METHODSSoluble P-selectin (PS), E-selectin (ES), thromboxane-B(2)(TXB(2)), 6-keto-PGF(1)alpha (6-KPGF(1)alpha) were measured in 36 patients with KD, 20 patients with febrile disease and 30 healthy children by using double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay. Patients with KD were separated into acute phase group, subacute phase group, recovery phase group, coronary artery lesion group (CAL), non-coronary artery lesion group (NCAL), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) effective group (body temperature back to normal after 48 hours of using IVIG), and IVIG ineffective group.

RESULTSPlasma PS and ES levels in the acute phase group [(211 +/- 28 and 186 +/- 14) ng/ml], subacute phase group [(238 +/- 27 and 151 +/- 13) ng/ml] and recovery phase group [(198 +/- 21 and 1008 +/- 9) ng/ml] were significantly higher than those in the healthy group [(102 +/- 36 and 72 +/- 10) ng/ml, P < 0.01]. The plasma PS levels remained higher after the treatment, but in IVIG effective group, the PS and ES levels declined significantly (P < 0.01) compared with those in acute phase group. Plasma PS and ES levels of CAL group [(281 +/- 78 and 210 +/- 52) ng/ml] were significantly higher than those of NCAL group [(217 +/- 15 and 108 +/- 10) ng/ml, P < 0.01]. In contrast to 1 week after the treatment, the PS and ES in IVIG effective group at the time point of 2 weeks after the treatment decreased more significantly (P < 0.01). While the PS and ES in IVIG ineffective group remained higher at the time point of 2 weeks after the treatment, which showed no significant difference compared with those 1 week after the treatment (P > 0.05). One week after the treatment, the PS levels of IVIG effective and ineffective groups did not descend, and there was no significant difference in PS between these two groups at this time point. Two weeks after the treatment, the PS and ES in IVIG ineffective group remained higher than those in IVIG effective group, and there was a significant difference between them. The peak level of PS appeared in the subacute phase. TXB(2) levels of KD in acute phase group increased markedly, which were significantly higher than those of healthy group [(345 +/- 127 and 190 +/- 69) ng/L, P < 0.01]. There was no significant difference between subacute phase group and healthy group. No significant difference was found between CAL group and NCAL group (P > 0.05). The levels of TXB(2) declined quickly after the treatment. The 6-KPGF(1)alpha level in KD of acute phase group, subacute phase group and recovery phase group [(7.1 +/- 2.8, 10.8 +/- 3.7 and 11.3 +/- 4.0) ng/L, respectively] was significantly lower than that of healthy group [(17.7 +/- 5.8) ng/L, P < 0.01], and the levels did not recover to normal even 2 weeks after the treatment. There was no significant difference 6-KPGF(1)alpha levels between CAL group and NCAL group (P > 0.05). In the febrile group, PS and ES levels showed no significant differences compared with healthy children (P > 0.05). ES level of KD patients was significantly correlated with CRP levels (r = 0.79 P < 0.01). In febrile group, there was no significant correlation between ES and CRP. There was a significant correlation between PS and PLT levels in KD patients (r = 0.75 P < 0.01), and no significant correlation between PS and PLT levels in febrile patients.

CONCLUSIONThe increase of plasma PS and ES levels in KD acute phase and subacute phase might play an important role in the pathophysiology of the endothelial damage. E- and P-selectin may potentially be a predictor of CAL in patients with KD.

Child ; Coronary Artery Disease ; physiopathology ; Coronary Vessels ; physiopathology ; E-Selectin ; blood ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; P-Selectin ; blood

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the pathophysiologic role of serum E-selectin, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-induced cell adhesion mollecule in Kawasaki disease(KD) and to look for the evidence of direct relationship between the plasma levels of soluble E-selectin and the incidence of coronary artery lesion(CAL). METHODS: Changes in plasma levels of sE-selectin(n=98) over time were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 23 patients with acute KD and 25 age-matched febrile children. RESULTS: Compared with control values, the peak levels of plasma sE-selectin were significantly elevated(mean+/-S.E.:22.89+/-12.53 ng/mL vs 10.65+/-3.42 ng/mL, P=0.01) in KD. 5 patients with CAL, plasma sE-selectin levels before treatment were higher than in 18 patients without CAL(mean+/-S.E.:39.43+/-15.08 ng/mL and 19.00+/-8.32 ng/mL, respectively; P=0.01). Plasma sE-selectin declined rapidly in the majority of KD patients regardless of the presence of CAL. Plasma sE-selectin levels after treatment and convalesent period were similar in KD patients with and without CAL. The plasma levels sE-selectin were correlated with those of white blood cell count(r=0.299, P<0.05), CRP(r=0.430, P<0.05), serum albumin(r=-0.483, P<0.05), serum protein(r=-0.502, P<0.05) and hemoglobin(r=-0.372, P<0.05) not with those of ESR, platelet, or duration of fever. There were significant differences in the initial level of serum sE-selectin between KD with and without CAL(mean+/-S.E.:39.44+/-15.08 ng/mL vs. 19.00+/-17.18 ng/mL) in multivariated linear tests. CONCLUSION: Plasma sE-selectin levels were significantly higher in KD than in other febrile illness. Higher plamsa levels of sE-selectin may have potential as a predictor of CAL in patients with KD.
Blood Platelets ; Cell Adhesion ; Child ; Coronary Vessels ; E-Selectin* ; Fever ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukocytes ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Plasma

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; E-Selectin ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thromboplastin ; metabolism ; Young Adult ; beta-Thalassemia ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1), E-selectin and the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events.

METHODSBased on a cohort study in which 2 589 Mongolians had been followed up for 10 years, a nested case-control study was carried out to analyze the relationship between IL-6, ET-1, E-selectin and the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

RESULTSThe average level of IL-6 (7.66 vs. 8.77 pg/ml), ET-1 (0.74 vs. 0.75 pg/ml) and E-selectin (17.96 vs. 18.32 ng/ml)were not significantly different between the case and the control groups (P > 0.05). Data from the logistic regression analysis showed that IL-6, ET-1 and E-selectin were not significantly associated with the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events. The multivariable adjusted ORs (95%CI) on the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events were 0.69 (0.41-1.16), 1.10 (0.66-1.85) and 1.19 (0.71-2.00) for the participants with IL-6>23.91 pg/ml, ET-1>1.33 pg/ml and E-selectin>24.43 ng/ml, respectively, compared with those having IL-6≤23.91 pg/ml, ET-1≤1.33 pg/ml or E-selectin≤24.43 ng/ml.

CONCLUSIONData from our study indicated that the levels of IL-6, ET-1 and E-selectin at baseline were not significantly associated with the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events in people from Inner Mongolia.

Cardiovascular Diseases ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; E-Selectin ; blood ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Odds Ratio ; Risk

Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a central pathogenic feature in preeclampsia on the basis of elevated adhesion molecules. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and E-selectin (sE-selectin) in sera of normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. We studied the serum levels of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and sE-selectin in normal pregnant women (n=63), mild preeclampsia (n=33) and severe preeclampsia (n=82). Concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules were determined with enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Serum concentrations of sVCAM-1 were significantly higher in both mild (p=0.004) and severe preeclampsia (p=0.000) than normal pregnancy. There were also significant differences in sVCAM-1 levels between mild and severe preeclampsia (p=0.002). sICAM-1 levels of severe preeclampsia were statistically different from those of normal pregnancy (p=0.038). Levels of sE-selectin were elevated in both mild (p=0.011) and severe preeclampsia (p=0.000) compared to normal pregnancy, but no statistical difference between the mild and severe preeclampsia (p=0.345). These results suggest that all three soluble adhesion molecules are increased in severe preeclampsia, and sVCAM-1 among them may be useful in predicting the severity of preeclampsia.
Adult ; Biological Markers ; Cell Adhesion Molecules/*blood ; E-Selectin/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/blood ; Pre-Eclampsia/*blood ; Pregnancy ; Severity of Illness Index ; Solubility ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/blood

To evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of batch preparing cryopreserved fresh platelet-rich plasma (cryo-FPRP) derived from the volunteer donors, platelet count (Plt), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), plasma pH, plasma lactic acid concentration, and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, germiculture, CD62p positive rate, PAC-1 positive rate, and the fluorescence intensity of platelet GPIb-IX-V were detected in ACD whole blood, fresh platelet-rich plasma (FPRP), FPRP with 5% dimethyl sulphoxide DMSO (DMSO-FPRP), and thawed cryopreserved FPRP (cryo-FPRP); the procoagulant activity of FPRP and cryo-FPR was determinated. The results showed that (1) 70 percentage of platelet were separated from the whole blood into FPRP, and the counts of residual erythrocyte and leucocyte were below 1 x 10(9), and below 1 x 10(7) per unit respectively. (2) The plasma pH, lactic acid concentration and PAC-1 positive rate retained a stable level during the preparing, storing and thawing process. (3) Plasma LDH concentration, platelet CD62p positive rate and GPIb-IX-V concentration in platelet surface were enhanced significantly after being frozen and thawing. (4) The plasma clotting time induced by cryo-FPRP were significantly shorter than that induced by FPRP. It is concluded that: (1) The batch platelet preparing process can efficiently obtain platelet from whole blood donated by volunteer, and the process didn't activate the platelet. (2) Cryopreservation can prevent lactic acid accumulation, pH reduce and activation of GPIIb/IIIa. (3) The membrane of partial platelets are affected by freezing and thawing. (4) The density of GPIb-IX-V complexes in platelet surface and its procoagulant activity are enhanced significantly after the FPRP freezing and thawing process.
Blood Platelets ; cytology ; metabolism ; Blood Preservation ; methods ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; E-Selectin ; blood ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Lactic Acid ; blood ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; metabolism ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of acupuncture combined with medication for treatment of essential hypertension (EH).

METHODSSixty cases of EH were randomly divided into a combined acupuncture and medication group (group A) and a medication group (group B), 30 cases in each one, treated with acupuncture in combination with oral administration of Felodipine, and simple oral administration of Felodipine respectively. Before and after treatment, the changes of blood pressure, and the contents of E-selectin (Es), iNOS and eNOS were determined.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the blood pressure declined in either group. The total effective rate in group A was 86.7% (26/30), which was superior to that of 73.3% (22/30) in group B. After treatment, the plasma Es and iNOS contents in two groups decreased as compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.01), of which, plasma Es content in group A decreased apparently as compared with group B (P < 0.01). After treatment, the content of plasma eNOS increased as compared with that before treatment in group A (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of acupuncture on anti-blood pressure probably relies on the improvements in vascular endothelial cellular function so that Es, iNOS and eNOS expression can be recovered to normal level and ultimately blood pressure is adjusted.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Combined Modality Therapy ; E-Selectin ; blood ; Felodipine ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; blood ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the serum concentrations of E- selectin, integrinbeta(1) subunit and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in gastric cancer patients and their clinicopathological significance.

METHODSThe serum levels of adhesion molecules E- selectin,intercellular adhesion molecule- 1 (ICAM- 1), and integrinbeta(1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 47 health subjects (control group) and in 57 patients with gastric cancer (gastric cancer group) before operation and 7 days after operation. Serum levels of above three factors were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe serum concentrations of E- selectin, integrinbeta(1) subunit and ICAM- 1 were higher in gastric cancer group with positive rate of 24.6% ,33.3% ,28.1% respectively. ICAM- 1 and integrinbeta(1) were significant higher in gastric cancer group than that in the control group (P< 0.01),but there was no significant difference in E- selectin between two groups (P=0.64). Serum concentrations of E-selectin, ICAM-1,and integrinbeta(1) were significantly correlated with clinicopathological features as following: clinicopathological stage,invasion depth,lymph node involvement,and presence of distant metastases(P< 0.05,P< 0.01). The serum levels of E- selectin, ICAM- 1, and integrinbeta(1) were decreased significantly after radical resection of gastric cancer,but not in patients with unresectable tumor. Elevated levels of three molecules were significant prognostic factors for patients with gastric cancer,but it could not independently be used to evaluate tumor stage.

CONCLUSIONSSerum concentrations of E- selectin, ICAM- 1,and integrinbeta(1) may reflect tumor progression and metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; E-Selectin ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Integrin beta1 ; blood ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Serum ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology