Prothrombin gene G 20210 a mutation in patients with acute deep venous thrombosis

Deep venous thrombosis [DVT] is an interaction between hereditary and acquired factors. Prothrombin gene mutation is one of these hereditary risk factors that may cause DVT through elevation of the Prothrombin level and therefore, requires special attention. In this study we tried to have an idea about frequency of this gene mutation in patients with DVT. Prothrombin gene mutation was looked for in forty Warfarin-Resistances DVT patients. The results were compared to another forty Warfarin-Sensitive DVT patients and thirty healthy blood donors. In addition blood samples were assessed for the levels of protein C, protein S, antithrombin III and anticardiolipin antibodies. Recurrent DVT and positive family history were more frequent in the Warfarin-Resistance group. Prothrombin gene mutation was found in DVT patients as well as healthy controls, but with different percentages. The higher frequency of this gene mutation in Warfarin-Resistance individuals may confirm its mechanism in causing DVT. This study supports that Prothrombin gene mutation is present in our population, especially DVT patients. The study also suggests that patients with Warfarin-Resistance should be tested for the presence of this gene mutation

Oxidative stress and vascular endothelial growth factor in experimental animal model of schistosoma mansoni treated with myrrh or praziquantel

Oxidative stress was considered as an adverse event that contributes to the pathology associated with schistosomiasis. Angiogenesis plays a paramount role in the development of fibrosis. Our study aimed first to study the oxidative stress and angiogenesis in mice infected with S. mansoni compared to uninfected group and second to evaluate the effect of praziquantel and myrrh on oxidative stress and angiogenesis. Liver malondialdehyde, serum nitrite and nitrate, serum vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], liver superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase were measured in thirty mice infected with S. mansoni before and after treatment with praziquantel or with Myrrh. Ten uninfected mice were used as control. Our Results revealed that malondialdehyde was significantly increased while glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased in mice infected with S. mansoni compared to uninfected control group. Serum VEGF was significantly increased by 2.5 folds in infected mice compared to uninfected group. However, Liver MDA and antioxidant enzymes were not altered in S. mansoni- infected mice treated with praziquantel or with myrrh. Only myrrh succeeds to significantly decrease serum VEGF and nitric oxide. In conclusion, our data show that oxidative stress and angiogenesis were increased in schistosomiasis and that treatment with myrrh extracts can decrease angiogenesis and the development of fibrosis