Platelets in the Newborn

Platelets were first described in the mid-nineteenth century. Since then, their roles were identified in hemostasis and thrombosis, inflammation, leukocyte interactions, angiogenesis, and cancer growth. But there is little information about such platelet functions in the newborn. Several studies highlighted some platelet differences between newborns and adults. Yet, in spite of these differences, healthy newborns appear to be adequately protected. A number of factors, however, were reported to negatively affect neonatal platelets. These include maternal hypertensive disorders or infections, neonatal asphyxia or respiratory distress, therapies such as ampicillin or indomethacin, and treatment modalities such as ventilators, nitric oxide, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Their effects on newborn platelets are usually transitory, lasting from several hours to a few days or weeks. If these effects are well characterized, they could serve as reporters for diagnosis and monitoring during therapy. Careful studies of neonatal platelets are needed to improve the understanding of basic physiology and pathophysiology in this cohort and to identify possible targets for intervention and therapy

Enzyme-related aflatoxin production in vital organs of rats fed with Aspergillus species- inoculated rat chow

Wister strain Albino rats were fed with 40 mL distilled water and 20g of rat chow inoculated with Aspergillus tamarii Kita IMI 393765 and Aspergillus flavus Link IMI 393766 daily for 7 days. A progressive weight loss and reduced sluggishness accompanied very high activity at OD 540 of hepato-specific enzymes-Glutamate oxalate transaminase and Glutamate pyruvate transaminase in the heart and kidney of rats having continuous 7-day contact with Aspergillus flavus. Statistical analyses revealed significance at 0.05 % level of probability. A corresponding high aflatoxin level (above 20 ppb) was also determined in all the vital organs. Both enzyme and aflatoxin levels were comparatively lower in the liver and perforations were recorded in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to content leakage. Lower values, though higher than the control, were recorded in those fed on Aspergillus tamarii-inoculated rat chow, which also experienced no GI tract damage