ABSTRACT
Platelet aggregation and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity were evaluated in pregnant women living with some disease conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and human immunodeficiency virus infection. The subject population is consisted of 15 non-pregnant healthy women [control group (CG)], 15 women with normal pregnancy (NP), 7 women with hypertensive pregnancy (HP), 10 women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 12 women with human immunodeficiency virus-infected pregnancy (HIP) groups. The aggregation of platelets was checked using an optical aggregometer, and serum ADA activity was determined using the colorimetric method. After the addition of 5 µM of agonist adenosine diphosphate, the percentage of platelet aggregation was significantly (p < 0·05) increased in NP, HP, GDM and HIP groups when compared with the CG, while the addition of 10 µM of the same agonist caused significant (p < 0·05) elevations in HP, GDM and HIP groups when compared with CG. Furthermore, ADA activity was significantly (p < 0·05) enhanced in NP, HP, GDM and HIP groups when compared with CG. In this study, the increased platelet aggregation and ADA activity in pregnancy and pregnancy-associated diseases suggest that platelet aggregation and ADA activity could serve as peripheral markers for the development of effective therapy in the maintenance of homeostasis and some inflammatory process in these pathophysiological conditions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subject(s)
Adenosine Deaminase/blood , Diabetes, Gestational/blood , HIV Infections/blood , HIV Infections/complications , Hypertension/blood , Hypertension/complications , Platelet Aggregation , Adenosine Diphosphate/pharmacology , Adult , Blood Coagulation/drug effects , Case-Control Studies , Enzyme Assays , Female , Humans , Platelet Aggregation/drug effects , Platelet-Rich Plasma/metabolism , PregnancyABSTRACT
Mercúrio (Hg) está presente no ambiente em três diferentes formas químicas: elementar (Hg0), inorgânico e orgânico, sendo que a sua distribuição, toxicidade e metabolismo são dependentes de sua forma química. A exposição oral ao consumo de peixes e alimentos contaminados é a principal forma de exposição humana ao metilmercúrio (MeHg), um poluente ambiental que é absorvido por ingestão, inalação e através da pele. O MeHg é um potente neurotóxico, especialmente para o cérebro em desenvolvimento. Neste estudo, foram examinados os principais efeitos da exposição ao MeHg durante o desenvolvimento salientando os mecanismos bioquímicos envolvidos nestes processos. Também foram apresentados recentes resultados sobre o uso de extratos de plantas medicinais que atenuaram os efeitos adversos deste metal. Deste modo, estes dados reforçam a toxicidade do MeHg durante o desenvolvimento e sugerem possíveis caminhos para futuras intervenções terapêuticas.
Mercury (Hg) is present in the environment in three different chemical forms: elemental, inorganic and organic Hg. The distribution, toxicity and metabolism of Hg are linked to its chemical form. The oral exposition following fish and food contaminated is the main route of contamination of humans to the methilmercury (MeHg), an environmental pollutant which is absorbed by ingestion, inhalation and through the skin. MeHg is a strong neurotoxic molecule, especially for the developing brain. In this study, the main effects of the MeHg exposition and the biochemical parameters involved in this process were examined. The results of the use of plant extracts which attenuate the adverse effects of this metal are also presented here. Therefore, these data reinforce the MeHg toxicity during the development and suggest alternative ways for future therapeutic approaches.
