Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0036690 (sepsis)
 59,461 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Isolated acquired factor VII deficiency is uncommon. We report 11 cases of acquired factor VII deficiency associated with severe systemic sepsis. All patients initially displayed a heterozygous-like factor VII deficiency confirmed by both clotting and amidolytic assays, associated with low factor VII antigen levels, and increased haemostasis markers (D-dimers, prothrombin fragments 1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complexes). After sepsis recovery, normal factor VII levels were evidenced. Isolated factor VII consumption or proteolytic degradation by leucocyte proteases can be evoked, but the mechanism of acquired factor VII deficiency during sepsis remains to be elucidated. The knowledge of this syndrome should avoid false diagnosis of congenital factor VII deficiency.
 ...
PMID:Acquired isolated factor VII deficiency during sepsis. 921 52

Escherichia coli hemolysin (HlyA) and Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin are membrane-perturbating bacterial exotoxins that have been implicated as significant virulence factors in human diseases. We investigated the capacity of these toxins to cause cell activation and mediator release in human endothelial cells, compared with the efficacies of thrombin and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Concentration ranges tested were 1 to 1000 ng/ml (HlyA), 0.01 to 10 micro/ml (alpha-toxin), 0.01 to 10 U/ml (thrombin), and 0.01 to 10 microM (A23187). All stimuli caused dose-dependent generation of platelet-activating factor, nitric oxide, and prostaglandin I2. HlyA and thrombin effected time- and dose-dependent accumulation of large quantities of inositol phosphates, with maximum effects at 100 ng/ml and 1 U/ml, respectively. Corresponding time course and dose dependency were noted for HlyA-elicited diacylglycerol formation. In contrast, only the highest concentrations of alpha-toxin (10 microg/ml) and A23187 (10 microM) effected some moderate inositol phosphate accumulation, and this was suppressed in the presence of the platelet-activating factor antagonist WEB 2086. Metabolic and secretory responses elicited by alpha-toxin were dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+. We conclude that both HlyA and alpha-toxin are potent inductors of inflammatory and vasodilatory mediators in human endothelial cells. HlyA-elicited effects may proceed predominantly via activation of the phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis-related signal transduction pathway, whereas transmembrane Ca2+ flux appears to be the major event underlying the release of mediators in response to alpha-toxin. These toxin properties may contribute to vasoregulatory and inflammatory disturbances encountered in states of severe infection and sepsis.
 ...
PMID:Human endothelial cell activation and mediator release in response to the bacterial exotoxins Escherichia coli hemolysin and staphylococcal alpha-toxin. 925 56

In preterm infants the activity of antithrombin III (AT-III), the main inhibitor of thrombin, is reduced depending on gestational age and complications such as sepsis or respiratory distress syndrome. Babies with low levels of AT-III have been shown to have a higher mortality and an increased incidence of intracranial hemorrhage. In our study we tried to show the effect of early AT-III substitution on coagulation parameters and the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). One hundred three preterm infants at a gestational age of 25-32 weeks (mean 28.9 weeks; birth weight 600-2,170 g, mean 1,285 g) received AT-III concentrate at a single dosage of 50-200 IU/kg on the day of birth and subsequently only in case of a new decrease below an AT-III activity of 50%. We measured AT-III activity, Quick's prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and platelet count on the day of birth, and after 1 and 5-9 days in 25 patients. AT-III activity before substitution was lower than described for term infants (20-72%, mean 40%). Within the first week of life Quick's PT and PTT reached almost term values. No significant differences of the platelet count were found within the first week of life. The incidence of IVH was lower than in current epidemiologic studies: in only 13% of the study patients. Six percent of the infants had IVH grade I, 3% grade II, 4% grade III and none grade IV. Therefore, in preterm infants AT-III substitution may reduce the incidence and progression of intracranial hemorrhage.
 ...
PMID:Antithrombin-III substitution in preterm infants--effect on intracranial hemorrhage and coagulation parameters. 926 73

Alterations of the coagulation system that may lead to coagulation activation and thrombosis are common sequelae after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We performed prophylactic anticoagulation by low dose heparin (50 units/kg/day) and substitution of antithrombin (AT) concentrate to sustain plasma levels above 90% of pooled normal human plasma. Conventional tests for plasmatic hemostasis and substitution of AT concentrate were recorded for 50 patients until day +50 after BMT. Incidence of sepsis, graft-versus-host-disease [GVHD], capillary leakage syndrome [CLS] and veno-occlusive disease of the liver [VOD] were investigated and compared with the results of patients without any of these complications. Patients with proven sepsis (n = 6) showed decreased activity of AT, and a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), while fibrinogen levels were slightly increased. This constellation was interpreted as mild to moderate activation of the humoral coagulation cascade. Patients with VOD (n = 10) showed an increased consumption of AT concentrate at day +7 followed by a decrease of prothrombin time, of clotting factors II and VII, and a prolongation of aPTT at days +11 to +18 after BMT. This suggests, that activation of coagulation precedes decreased synthesis of coagulation factors. Patients with CLS (n = 15) or GVHD > or = II degree (n = 14) showed no major alterations of coagulation parameters. In conclusion, after BMT, two types of coagulopathy were observed: (i) an activation of the coagulation cascade (i.e. sepsis and VOD) which was followed by (ii) a diminished synthesis of coagulation factors (VOD). In order to perform timely therapeutic interventions in the coagulation system in patients with sepsis and/or VOD it appears to be important to assess the clinical value of parameters for early detection of coagulation activation as thrombin-AT complexes, D-dimers and F1 + 2 fragments.
 ...
PMID:Humoral coagulation and early complications after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. 929 52

Activation of thrombin and of the coagulation system plays an important role in the pathophysiology of sepsis-associated organ dysfunction. Antithrombin III (AT III) is a natural inhibitor of thrombin, a central procoagulatory factor with pleiotropic activities. Experimental supplementation of AT III improved coagulation parameters and ameliorated organ dysfunction. To determine whether long-term AT III supplementation has beneficial effects on organ function, we conducted a randomized, prospective study in surgical patients with severe sepsis. The study evaluated the long-term effect of AT III supplementation (duration of treatment: 14 days). After randomization (AT III vs. control group), AT III was infused continuously over 14 days to obtain plasma AT III activities > 120%. Forty consecutive patients were recruited (20 AT III/20 control group). Eleven patients had a rapid fatal course and did not met the criterion of a 14 day treatment period. From these 11 patients, 8 patients (5 AT III/3 control group) died within 72 h due to septic shock. The remaining 14 AT III patients and 15 controls survived 14 days and showed no differences in baseline parameters of organ function. AT III caused a disappearance of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in all patients with DIC, whereas in control patients, the frequency of DIC remained constant (p < .05). In AT III patients a progressive increase in oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2 ratio) and a continuous decrease in pulmonary hypertension index (mean pulmonary artery pressure/mean arterial pressure (PAP/MAP) ratio) indicated an improvement of lung function (p < .05 vs. control). AT III prevented the continuous rise in total serum bilirubin concentration observed in control patients and diminished the frequency of artificial renal support therapy (p < .05). Long-term supplementation with AT III may improve lung function and prevent the development of septic liver and kidney failure in patients with severe sepsis.
 ...
PMID:Antithrombin III supplementation in severe sepsis: beneficial effects on organ dysfunction. 936 42

During vascular injury, such as observed in atherosclerosis, restenosis, vasculitides, transplantation, or sepsis, vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) can be exposed to platelets or platelet products. Under these conditions proliferation or cytokine production of SMC stimulated by platelets or platelet products may contribute to regulation of vascular pathogenesis. Thus, we investigated interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 production as well as proliferation of SMC in response to platelets or platelet lysates. Platelets not already preactivated by thrombin induced IL-6 (10- to 50-fold) or IL-8 production of unstimulated SMC in a cell number dependent fashion. Preactivation of platelets with thrombin potently increased the platelet-mediated IL-6 (50- to 1,000-fold) and IL-8 production of SMC. Hirudin specifically inhibited the activation of platelets with thrombin. Isolated platelets cultured in the absence of SMC did not contain detectable IL-6 or IL-8. Prestimulation (4 hours) of SMC with pathophysiologically relevant substances (lipopolysaccharide [LPS], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], or IL-1alpha) further increased the platelet-induced cytokine production. The platelet-derived SMC stimulatory activity was IL-1, since IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1-Ra) inhibited the platelet-induced cytokine production of SMC. Anti-platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-antibody did not further reduce this activity. Thrombin itself stimulated expression of IL-6 and IL-8 to some degree and induced IL-6 production of SMC synergistically with IL-1. Platelets also induced proliferation of SMC, however, anti-PDGF antibodies, rather than IL-1-Ra blocked this response. These data show that platelet-derived IL-1 stimulates cytokine production of vascular smooth muscle cells, indicating that platelet-derived IL-1 may contribute to regulation of local pathogenesis in the vessel wall by activation of the cytokine regulatory network.
 ...
PMID:Platelet-derived interleukin-1 induces cytokine production, but not proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells. 941 77

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) adversely affects the outcome of patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with sepsis. To determine whether antithrombin III (AT III) is useful for the treatment of ARDS in sepsis, we evaluated the effect of AT III on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary vascular injury in rats. Although the intravenous administration of AT III (250 U/kg) prevented LPS-induced pulmonary accumulation of leukocytes, increases in pulmonary vascular permeability, and coagulation abnormalities, inactivated factor Xa, a selective inhibitor of thrombin generation, did not prevent such events other than the coagulation abnormalities. AT III promotes the endothelial release of prostacyclin by interacting with cell surface glycosaminoglycans in vivo. Trp49-modified AT III, which lacks affinity for heparin, did not prevent LPS-induced pulmonary vascular injury. Plasma levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha were markedly increased in rats after the administration of LPS and significantly decreased in the LPS-treated rats administered Trp49-modified AT III, but not altered in those LPS-treated rats receiving AT III. Preventive effects of AT III were not observed in rats pretreated with indomethacin, which inhibits prostacyclin biosynthesis. Prostacyclin prevents LPS-induced pulmonary vascular injury by inhibiting leukocyte accumulation in the lungs. These observations strongly suggest that AT III prevents pulmonary vascular injury induced by LPS by promoting the endothelial release of prostacyclin, a potent inhibitor of leukocyte activation.
 ...
PMID:Antithrombin III (AT III) prevents LPS-induced pulmonary vascular injury: novel biological activity of AT III. 946 34

Antithrombin (AT) is a single-chain glycoprotein in plasma and belongs to the family of the serpins. It is synthesized in liver parenchymal cells, and its plasma concentration is between 112-140 mg/L. AT is a unique inhibitor of the clotting system and neutralizes most of the enzymes generated during activation of the clotting cascade, especially thrombin, factors Xa and IXa. Equimolar, irreversible complexes are formed between AT and the enzymes. The interaction between AT and the activated clotting factors is at least 1,000-fold increased in the presence of heparins. Heparins bind to multiple sites of the AT molecule resulting in a steric reconfiguration. Heparins contain a specific pentasaccharide unit which is the minimum requirement for AT binding. The glycosaminoglycan (GAG) heparan sulfate found on endothelial cell surfaces also contains this pentasaccharide and can thus "activate" AT. It is believed that much of the physiological inactivation of enzymes by AT occurs on the endothelium, mediated by heparan sulfate. The binding of AT to the GAGs also releases prostacyclin which possesses strong antiinflammatory properties. Deficiencies of AT are inherited or acquired. Only acquired defects due to increased consumption are discussed, most notably AT in DIC, especially DIC in sepsis. During acute DIC, clotting factors and inhibitors are consumed faster than they can be reproduced. This consumption of AT is of great significance in DIC and sepsis, and plasma AT levels predict outcome. AT levels drop early in sepsis and laboratory signs of DIC can already be found in patients with SIRS and early sepsis. The important role of AT in DIC and sepsis is the basis for considering antithrombin concentrates as an additional therapeutic modality.
 ...
PMID:Antithrombin: its physiological importance and role in DIC. 951 76

In patients with sepsis and septic shock, both coagulation and fibrinolysis are activated frequently leading to the syndrome of diffuse intravascular coagulation (DIC). The different mechanisms leading to abnormalities in coagulation and fibrinolysis are discussed in detail. The coagulation and fibrinolytic system appear to be influenced by the septic process largely independently, leading to a procoagulant imbalance between these systems. Coagulation is initiated by mediator-induced expression of tissue factor and is associated with consumption of the natural coagulation inhibitors antithrombin III, protein C, and protein S. As a result, high plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) can be found. The effects on fibrinolysis are dominated by (highly) increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), leading to inadequate fibrinolysis. Although levels of plasminogen activator antigen are increased, its activity is almost completely inhibited by PAI-1. The resulting effects predispose to a procoagulant state, with widespread fibrin deposition, which may be an important mechanism contributing to multiple organ failure. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the DIC-syndrome is a prerequisite for a rational approach and future therapy for this severe complication of sepsis.
 ...
PMID:Derangements of coagulation and fibrinolysis in critically ill patients with sepsis and septic shock. 951 78

Antithrombin III (AT III) is the physiological inhibitor of thrombin and other serine proteases of the clotting cascade. In the development of sepsis, septic shock and organ failure, the plasma levels of AT III decrease considerably, suggesting the concept of a substitution therapy with the inhibitor. A decrease of AT III plasma levels might also be associated with other pathological disorders like trauma, burns, pancreatitis or preclampsia. Activation of coagulation and consumption of AT III is the consequence of a generalized inflammation called SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome). The clotting cascade is also frequently activated after organ transplantation, especially if organs are grafted between different species (xenotransplantation). During the past years AT III has been investigated in numerous corresponding disease models in different animal species which will be reviewed here. The bulk of evidence suggests, that AT III substitution reduces morbidity and mortality in the diseased animals. While gaining more experience with AT III, the concept of substitution therapy to maximal baseline plasma levels (100%) appears to become insufficient. Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies now suggests to adjust the AT III plasma levels to about 200%, i.e., doubling the normal value. During the last few years several authors proposed that AT III might not only be an anti-thrombotic agent, but to have in addition an anti-inflammatory effect.
 ...
PMID:Antithrombin III in animal models of sepsis and organ failure. 951 81


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10