Thioredoxin is a low molecular weight (approximately 12 kDa) redox protein, and protects against harmful stimuli such as oxida tive stress. Smoking evokes oxidative stress, among other biological responses. The clinical relevance of thioredoxin in smoking has not been fully investigated. Here, we examined the effects of smoking on serum and urinary thioredoxin levels, in comparison with various stress markers. Serum thioredoxin levels in the smoking group (10 subjects) were significantly higher than those of the non smoking group (5 subjects). After smoking, serum thioredoxin levels significantly decreased, while urinary levels significantly increased. On the other hand, the levels of serum and salivary cortisol, plasma norepinephrine, salivary amylase, salivary thioredoxin, and urinary 8 hydroxy 2' deoxyguanosine levels before and after smoking were not significantly different. These results suggest that a decrease in thioredoxin in the serum and the concomitant increase in the urine is a novel sensitive marker of biological stress responses induced by smoking. The change seems to be evoked by mechanisms different from hor monal or 8 hydroxy 2' deoxyguanosine forming stress responses.
Purpose : This study investigated the relationship between blood clotting in the circuit soon after initiating cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and echinocytes that appear with alkalemia, using a recirculation circuit filled with heparinized bovine blood.Methods : Alkalemic conditions in the recirculation circuit were prepared by adding various concentrations of NaHCO 3 to the priming fluid. Albumin was also added to confirm its inhibitory effect on blood clotting. Blood pH, hold-up, the pressure gradient, and red blood cell (RBC) reduction rate were monitored. Blood clots were examined microscopically.Results : Although blood pH was elevated under all experimental conditions, clotting in the circuit increased with increased concentrations of HCO3 -. Albumin inhibited the clotting under the same alkalemic conditions. Microscopic findings revealed echinocytes in the blood clots.Conclusions : The shape of echinocytes was transformed by a reduction in the Donnan equilibrium ratio because of changes in pH inside and outside the RBC membrane. Blood clotting in the circuit soon after initiating CPB may be caused by echinocytes that appear under alkalemic conditions. This was inhibited by albumin, suggesting that the addition of albumin to the priming fluid may prevent such clotting in the circuit after initiating CPB.
Purpose:This study investigated the relationship between blood clotting in the circuit soon after initiating cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)and echinocytes that appear with alkalemia, using a recirculation circuit filled with heparinized bovine blood. Methods:Alkalemic conditions in the recirculation circuit were prepared by adding various concentrations of NaHCO3 to the priming fluid. Albumin was also added to confirm its inhibitory effect on blood clotting. Blood pH, holdup , the pressure gradient, and red blood cell(RBC)reduction rate were monitored. Blood clots were examined microscopically. Results:Although blood pH was elevated under all experimental conditions, clotting in the circuit increased with increased concentrations of HCO3 −. Albumin inhibited the clotting under the same alkalemic conditions. Microscopic findings revealed echinocytes in the blood clots. Conclusions:The shape of echinocytes was transformed by a reduction in the Donnan equilibrium ratio because of changes in pH inside and outside the RBC membrane. Blood clotting in the circuit soon after initiating CPB may be caused by echinocytes that appear under alkalemic conditions. This was inhibited by albumin, suggesting that the addition of albumin to the priming fluid may prevent such clotting in the circuit after initiating CPB. Key words:alkalemic conditions,blood clotting,echinocyte,Donnan equilibrium ratio,albumin
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