Platelet storage time and cytokine [IL-2R, IL-8, TNF-alpha] levels

This study investigated whether cytokine accumulation in plasma of platelet concentrates obtained from single apheresis donors was beyond the acceptable limits of white blood cell contamination at different storage time-points. Samples were obtained from 11 voluntary apheresis donors. All products were heavily contaminated with leukocytes. Sampling times from stored platelets were 0, 1, 3, 5 days respectively. Platelet, white blood cell counts and cytokines [IL-2R, IL-8 and TNF-alpha] were measured. The study found significant cytokine accumulation during 5 days of storage time in leukocyte contaminated platelet concentrates, suggesting that the platelet storage time has an effect on IL-2R levels

Diagnostic value of homocysteine, C-reactive protein and bilirubin for coronary artery disease

We evaluated 3 new markers for coronary artery disease [CAD] [bilirubin, total homocysteine [t-Hcy] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]] in 319 patients with chest pains divided into 2 groups based on coronary angiography: CAD group [n = 262] and non-CAD group [n = 57]. A control group consisted of 50 healthy subjects. t-Hcy had the highest diagnostic value for diagnosis of angiographically documented patients; bilirubin had the lowest. The sensitivities and specificities [based on ROC curves] of bilirubin, hs-CRP and t-Hcy were 70.9%, 50% and 76.8% respectively, and 40.4%, 80.7% and 70.2% respectively. We conclude that serum bilirubin levels cannot identify people at risk of CAD and t-Hcy and hs-CRP may be stronger markers