Improvement of platelet in thrombocytopenic HCV patients after treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents and its relation to outcome.

Little is known about evolution of platelet count after treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). The study aimed to evaluate the changes in platelet count after treatment with DAAs among thrombocytopenic patients with HCV-related advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. A total of 915 chronic HCV patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis who were treated with different DAAs-based regimens were retrospectively enrolled in final analysis. Included patients were those with thrombocytopenia (TCP). Platelet count was recorded at baseline, end of treatment (EOT) and 24-weeks after EOT (SVR24). Changes in platelet count and its relation to SVR were analyzed. The overall SVR24 rate was 98.8%. The platelet count showed statistically significant improvement from baseline to EOT (107 (84-127) × 103/mm3 vs. 120 (87-153) × 103/mm3(P = <0.0001) but remained unchanged thereafter to SVR24. Among responders, the platelet count significantly increased at SVR24 compared to baseline (P = <0.0001) but in relapsers, there was improvement in platelet count that didn't reach statistical significance (P = 0.9). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher Child-Pugh score and more advanced fibrosis at baseline were significant predictors of decreasing of platelet count and development of severe TCP at SVR24. Among thrombocytopenic patients with HCV-related advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, the platelet count improved after treatment with DAAs regardless to treatment response.

Eltrombopag for post-transplant cytopenias due to poor graft function.

Persistent cytopenia due to poor graft function (PoGF) is a relatively common complication which may affect up to 20% of patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Treatment options for PoGF remain limited, and reinfusion of additional HSC is often the only way to rescue hematopoiesis. Here we describe a retrospective single-center experience with the thrombopoietin-mimetic agent eltrombopag for the treatment of PoGF. Thirteen patients have received eltrombopag for either PoGF (n = 12) or primary graft failure (n = 1). In the 12 PoGF patients eltrombopag was started at the median time of 79 days after HSCT, due to persistent thrombocytopenia, with concomitant anemia and neutropenia in 7 and 3 patients, respectively. The treatment was started at the dose of 50 mg per day, and eventually increased up to 150 mg in case of lack of response. Hematological response was seen in 7 patients, with 6 complete responses. Hematological responses were seen both in patients with evidence of immune-mediated pathophysiology, and with possible infectious/iatrogenic causes. In responding patients, eltrombopag was discontinued in 6/7 patients without further relapse. These results suggest that eltrombopag is safe and possibly effective in the setting of the treatment of PoGF, and pave the way for future prospective studies.

Ocimum flavone Orientin as a countermeasure for thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia or chronic depletion of platelets in blood, could create life-threatening conditions in patients who receive aggressive systemic radiation and chemotherapy. Currently there are no approved agents for the rapid treatment of thrombocytopenia. In the present study, we demonstrate that administration of Orientin, a glycosidic flavonoid or dietary administration of Orientin containing Tulsi (Holy Basil) leaves, results in a significant increase in circulating platelets in a clinically relevant mouse model. No noticeable effects were observed on red blood cells, white blood cells or other hematologic parameters in treated animals indicating that Orientin specificity enhances platelet formation. The gene expression and immunophenotyping of bone marrow revealed that Orientin stimulates megakaryopoiesis specific transcriptional program. A significant increase in colony formation in bone marrow cells from Orientin pretreated mice further complemented the effect of Orientin on progenitor cells. The ex-vivo differentiation of irradiated human peripheral blood CD34+ stem cells demonstrated stimulatory effects of Orientin on megakaryocyte erythrocyte progenitors (MEP). The results show that Orientin, a non-toxic readily available natural product can counter platelet imbalances. Thrombocytopenia also develop as a consequence of multiple hematologic malignancies and side effects of treatments. Dietary supplementation of Orientin containing phytochemicals could be effective as countermeasures and viable therapeutics.

Xantomas y macrotrombocitopenia: sitosterolemia es la respuesta / Xanthomas and macrothrombocytopenia: sitosterolaemia is the answer

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Lactobacillus-containing probiotic supplementation increases / Suplemento probiótico conteniendo Lactobacillus aumenta la tasa de erradicación de Helicobacter pylori: evidencia de un meta-análisis

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is recognized as a major contributory factor to many diseases, but recommended eradication therapies demonstrated unsatisfactory eradication rates. Currently, some studies suggested that lactobacillus species have an inhibitory action on Helicobacter pylori both in vitro and in vivo. Objective: this meta-analysis broadly examined the efficacy of eradication regimens supplemented with lactobacillus-containing probiotic on eradication rates and side effects. Methods: eligible articles were identified by comprehensive searches. Statistical analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.2. Outcomes were finally evaluated according to GRADE system. Results: nine randomized controlled trials of high-quality met eligible criteria. Risk ratio of eradication was available for 1,163 patients. Lactobacillus-containing probiotics significantly increased the eradication rate compared with the control group based upon intention-to-treat analysis [RR = 1.14; 95 %CI (1.06-1.22); number needed to treat (NNT) = 10] by the fixed effect model without significant publication bias, but no significant reduction associated with overall side effects was observed [RR = 0.88; 95 %CI (0.73- 1.06)]. In the subgroup analysis, eradication rates raised significantly by 17 % in lactobacillus administrated alone group [RR = 1.25; 95 %CI (1.13-1.37); NNT = 6]. In multistrain probiotics group, eradication rates enhanced only 2.8 % [RR = 1.04; 95 %CI (0.94-1.14)]. It also showed that lactobacillus-containing probiotics improved the eradication rates, respectively, both in adults [RR = 1.12; 95 %CI (1.04-1.20); NNT = 12] and in children [RR = 1.25; 95 %CI (1.01-1.53); NNT = 7]. Conclusions: Lactobacillus-containing probiotic as an adjunct is effective to eradication therapy, while side effects caused by eradication treatment may not decrease. Furthermore, lactobacillus administrated alone will distinctly benefit eradication therapy(AU)