Immuno-metabolic factors in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis modulating atherogenesis.

Clinical expression of atherosclerosis is infrequent among patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis (SHF), besides, the latter disease is a disease with many immunological expressions. The aim of the present work was to search for a possible immunological and metabolic interaction which would modulate atherogenic mechanisms. The study was carried out on 31 patients with SHF and 20 non-schistosomal subjects (10 with evident clinical atherosclerosis and 10 without). All investigated subjects were males aged above 40 years, and were subjected to the following: serum lipoprotein pattern, total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, ApoA, ApoB, IgG, IgM, IgA, C3 + circulating immune complexes (CICs) and passive haemagglutination using S mansoni adult worm antigens. The results showed low levels of blood lipids in patients with SHF especially in those with porto-systemic collaterals; serum levels of IgG and IgM were significantly increased in all patients with SHF, while IgA was only increased in patients with collaterals who in turn showed the least incidence of clinically evident atherosclerosis; serum C3 was increased in patients with clinical atherosclerosis, both schistosomal and non-schistosomal. CICs have been higher in patients with SHF without atherosclerosis while decreased in atherosclerosis patients, both schistosomal and non-schistosomal. Our results may consolidate the view of a protective role of liver affection against atherogenesis as well as the important contribution of the immune mechanisms in this context.

Simultaneous radio-isotopic study of both fibrinogen and platelets in hepatic schistosomiasis.

Simultaneous platelet and fibrinogen survival and turnover were studied using selenomethionine (75Se) in early and late groups of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis (SHF) and in a control group. In the control group, the mean platelet survival was 11.66 +/- 1.59 days and mean platelet turnover was 20,230 +/- 5090 platelets/microliter/day. Mean fibrinogen survival was 7.3 +/- 0.60 days and fibrinogen turnover was 0.35 +/- 0.04 mg/ml/day. In the early schistosomal group, platelet survival was shortened with an increased turnover rate and normal platelet count. The presence of a structurally abnormal fibrinogen molecule in the early group may have resulted in its shortened survival, that was compensated by the liver through increasing the turnover rate. In the late group, platelet survival was shortened with no significant increase of fibrinogen turnover, while fibrinogen concentration remained normal, suggesting the presence of extrahepatic sites of fibrinogen synthesis.

Effect of chronic exposure to tobacco smoke on some blood lipids and coagulation parameters in the rat.

Adult male rats were exposed to tobacco smoke from filter-tipped cigarettes twice daily for a period of four months. Some blood lipids and coagulation parameters were studied. This treatment did not change the serum cholesterol, whereas it significantly increased serum triglycerides and plasma free fatty acids; these were possibly secondary to nicotine-induced catecholamine release. Blood thromboplastic activity as well as platelet aggregation were significantly increased. On the other hand blood fibrinolytic and prothrombin activities were unaffected. These results were discussed.