Author: Thomas W. Stief

Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology, Volume 2, Number 4, October 2004 , pp. 357-362(6)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Hemostasis is the system of generation and destruction of thrombi. It consists of coagulation and thrombolysis and has a plasmatic part and a cellular one, the latter being the thrombocytes and endothelial cells for coagulation and the polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) for thrombolysis. Main products of PMN are oxidants of the hypochlorite / chloramine-type that can generate the nonradical excited oxidant singlet molecular oxygen (1O2 *). Physiologically, 1O2 * reacts with methionine and cysteine residues and with carbenic structures in lipids, generating dioxetanes, which upon disruption emit photons in the blue spectrum of light (380-450 nm). It modifies some important hemostasis components in blood: 1O2 * inactivates the factors I (fibrinogen), V, VIII, vWF, X, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and 1O2 * oxidation of plasminogen and fibrin facilitates their specific cleavage by plasminogen activators and plasmin. Furthermore, 1O2 * downregulates thrombocyte-function and upregulates PMNfunction. Chloramines seem to be the main physiologic generators of 1O2 * : in concentrations of 0.1-2 mM in blood they strongly inhibit coagulation and enhance thrombolysis. The biogenesis and reaction pattern of 1O2 * is of importance to understand the PMN-physiology in hemostasis, giving rise to new therapy forms of thromboatherothrombosis in man.

Keywords: Singlet-Oxygen; hemostasis; thrombi; polymorphonuclear granulocytes; thrombolysis; nonradical excited oxidant; singlet molecular oxygen

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570161043385420

Affiliations: 1: Department of Clinical Chemistry, Philipps-University Hospital, D-35033 Marburg, Germany.

Publication date: 2004-10-01

More about this publication?

• Vascular disease is the commonest cause of death in Westernized countries and its incidence is on the increase in developing countries. It follows that considerable research is directed at establishing effective treatment for acute vascular events. Long-term treatment has also received considerable attention (e.g. for symptomatic relief). Furthermore, effective prevention, whether primary or secondary, is backed by the findings of several landmark trials.
  
  Vascular disease is a complex field with primary care physicians and nurse practitioners as well as several specialties involved. The latter include cardiology, vascular and cardio thoracic surgery, general medicine, radiology, clinical pharmacology and neurology (stroke units). Current Vascular Pharmacology will publish reviews to update all those concerned with the treatment of vascular disease. For example, reviews commenting on recently published trials or new drugs will be included. In addition to clinically relevant topics we will consider 'research-based' reviews dealing with future developments and potential drug targets. Therefore, another function of Current Vascular Pharmacology is to bridge the gap between clinical practice and ongoing research.
  
  Debates will also be encouraged in the correspondence section of this journal.

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