Apheresis platelet rich-plasma for regenerative medicine: An in vitro study on osteogenic potential

Background: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) induces bone regeneration; however, there is low evidence supporting its efficacy in bone healing. The lack of a standardized protocol of administration represents the main obstacle to its use in the clinical routine for bone defects’ treatment. The purpose of this study was to characterize PRP and elucidate its osteogenic potential. Methods: Platelet count, fibrinogen levels, and growth factors concentration were measured in PRP obtained by four apheresis procedures. HOB-01-C1, a pre-osteocytic cell line, was used to examine the effects of different PRP dilutions (from 1% to 50%) on cell viability, growth, and differentiation. Gene expression of RUNX2, PHEX, COL1A1, and OCN was also assayed. Results: PRP showed a mean 4.6-fold increase of platelets amount compared to whole blood. Among the 36 proteins evaluated, we found the highest concentrations for PDGF isoforms, EGF, TGF-β and VEGF-D. PDGF-AA positively correlated with platelet counts. In three of the four tested units, 25% PRP induced a growth rate comparable to the positive control (10% FBS); whereas, for all the tested units, 10% PRP treatment sustained differentiation. Conclusions: This study showed that PRP from apheresis stimulates proliferation and differentiation of pre-osteocyte cells through the release of growth factors from platelets

Comparison of two alternative procedures to obtain packed red blood cells for β-thalassemia major transfusion therapy

β-thalassemia major (βTM) patients require frequent blood transfusions, with consequences that span from allogenic reactions to iron overload. To minimize these effects, βTM patients periodically receive leucodepleted packed red blood cells (P-RBCs) stored for maximum 14 days. The aim of this study was to compare two alternative routine procedures to prepare the optimal P-RBCs product, in order to identify differences in their content that may somehow affect patients’ health and quality of life (QoL). In method 1, blood was leucodepleted and then separated to obtain P-RBCs, while in method 2 blood was separated and leucodepleted after removal of plasma and buffycoat. Forty blood donors were enrolled in two independent centers; couples of phenotypically matched whole blood units were pooled, divided in two identical bags and processed in parallel following the two methods. Biochemical properties, electrolytes and metabolic composition were tested after 2, 7 and 14 days of storage. Units prepared with both methods were confirmed to have all the requirements necessary for βTM transfusion therapy. Nevertheless, RBCs count and Hb content were found to be higher in method-1, while P-RBCs obtained with method 2 contained less K+, iron and storage lesions markers. Based on these results, both methods should be tested in a clinical perspective study to determine a possible reduction of transfusion-related complications, improving the QoL of βTM patients, which often need transfusions for the entire lifespan

Correlation between dietary cadmium exposure with biochemical and metabolic parameters: A cross-sectional study in Northern Italy population

Background and aim: Cadmium is a heavy metal classified as carcinogen for humans. It accumulates in the organism, especially in kidney and liver. Recent findings suggested that cadmium could influence human metabolism acting as endocrine disruptor and high cadmium exposure has been associated with impairment of cardiovascular and endocrine systems. This study aims at assessing the dietary intake of cadmium in an Italian community of Northern Italy and to evaluate its correlation with endocrine and metabolic factors. Methods: In a sample adult population of ever smokers from Reggio Emilia Province we estimated dietary cadmium intake through a food frequency questionnaire, validated for the Northern Italy population. From each participant we collected a fasten blood sample for determination of biochemical parameters and hormones levels, including alanine transaminase, blood glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). All subjects who participated to this study signed a written informed consent. Results: We eventually recruited 104 participants (men/women: 46/58), with mean (standard deviation) dietary intake of cadmium of 16.0 (8.5) μg/day. Correlation between cadmium intake and biochemical factors demonstrated a positive association with total cholesterol levels, blood glucose and TSH. Adjustment for main confounders, including sex, age, and bass index did not substantially alter the results. No clear correlation emerged with other parameters under investigation. Discussion: The results show that in our sampled population, dietary intake of cadmium is similar with other Italian and European populations. They also suggest that cadmium intake could influence the levels of metabolic and other biochemical factor which are important risk factors for chronic cardiovascular and endocrine system diseases. Acknowledgements We acknowledge the collaboration of the personnel of Transfusion Medicine Unit of AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, staff and volunteers of AVIS – Section of Reggio Emilia, and all blood donors who participated to this study

Heparin-induced lipoprotein precipitation apheresis in dyslipidemic patients: A multiparametric assessment

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis (LA) selectively eliminates lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B 100 (ApoB100) on patients affected by severe dyslipidemia. In addition to lowering lipids, LA is thought to exert pleiotropic effects altering a number of other compounds associated with atherosclerosis, such as pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines or pro-thrombotic factors

Associations between urinary and dietary selenium and blood metabolic parameters in a healthy northern italy population

Selenium is both an essential nutrient and a highly toxic element, depending on its dose and chemical forms. We aimed to quantify urinary selenium excretion and dietary selenium intake in 137 healthy non-smoking blood donors living in the northern Italian province of Reggio Emilia. We assessed selenium status by determining urinary selenium levels (mean 26.77 µg/L), and by estimating dietary selenium intake (mean 84.09 µg/day) using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood levels of glucose, lipids and thyroid-stimulating hormone were measured using automatized laboratory procedures. Dietary and urinary selenium were correlated (beta coefficient (β) = 0.19). Despite this, the association of the two indicators with health endpoints tended to diverge. Using linear regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, cotinine levels and alcohol intake, we observed a positive association between urinary selenium and blood triglyceride (β = 0.14), LDL-cholesterol (β = 0.07) and glucose levels (β = 0.08), and an inverse one with HDL-cholesterol (β = −0.12). Concerning dietary selenium, a slightly positive association could be found with glycemic levels only (β = 0.02), while a negative one emerged for other endpoints. The two selenium indicators showed conflicting and statistically highly imprecise associations with circulating TSH levels. Our findings suggest that higher selenium exposure is adversely associated with blood glucose levels and lipid profile. This is the case even at selenium exposures not exceeding tolerable upper intake levels according to current guidelines

[Kaposi's sarcoma during corticoid therapy. Description of a clinical case]

To describe a case of Kaposi's sarcoma during corticoid therapy