Olive leaf tea may have hematological health benefit over green tea

Olive leaf extracts are rich in several polyphenols having potential health benefits. We conducted the current parallel-group randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of long-term consumption of olive leaf tea (OLT) and green tea (GT) on hematological parameters in 31 female volunteers aged between 40 and 70 years of old. We found that RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were increased significantly in the OLT group than those of in the GT group at 6 and 12 weeks of intervention. Within-group comparison showed that hematocrit was significantly increased in the OLT group at 6 weeks of intervention, whereas RBC count and serum iron was significantly decreased in the GT group at 12 weeks of intervention. This is the first clinical study reporting the beneficial effects of continuous intake of OLT on hematological parameters. This observation is supported by our previous in vitro study reporting the differentiation-inducing effect of certain olive leaf components on human hematopoietic stem cells. However, further investigations in larger cohorts with a careful consideration of target population are required to confirm the preventive effect of OLT against anemia and other red cell disorders.

The accuracy of combined use of troponin and red cell distribution width in predicting mortality of patients with acute pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

Cardiac troponins and red cell distribution width (RDW) are associated with increased mortality in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). In this study, we aimed to investigate the accuracy of the combined use of troponin and RDW in predicting short-term mortality in acute PE patients.

METHODS

The data of 201 patients with the diagnosis of acute PE were retrospectively analyzed. We obtained troponin-RDW scores (TR scores) using a combination of troponin and RDW values, and then evaluated this score's accuracy in predicting mortality in patients with acute PE.

RESULTS

The mean participant age was 68 ± 16 years, and 52 % of patients were female. Fifteen (7.4 %) patients died during the first month. Patients classified as high-risk according to TR scores were older (72 ± 15 vs. 66 ± 15 years, p = 0.005), and they had higher heart rates (101 ± 20 vs. 90 ± 15 beat/min, p < 0.001) and respiratory rates (23 ± 4 vs. 21 ± 3 breath/min, p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, TR (odds ratio [OR] 4.93, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.13-21.38, p = 0.033) and simplified pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI) scores (OR 3.78, 95 % CI 1.71-8.37, p = 0.002) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. For 30-day mortality, the TR score had a slightly lower sensitivity (87 % vs. 93 %), but a higher specificity (69 % vs. 52 %) compared to the sPESI score.

CONCLUSION

The TR score is easy to calculate, and it may be used to predict early mortality in patients with acute PE.

Red blood cell distribution width and diabetes-associated complications

AIM

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a marker of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, there is little data on the relationship between RDW and diabetes-associated complications. The aim was to investigate whether there is any association between RDW, nephropathy, neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a type 2 diabetic population.

METHODS

This study included 196 diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. All subjects were investigated for diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy and PAD. Participants underwent 24-h blood pressure monitoring and were analysed for markers of the metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and insulin resistance.

RESULTS

57% of the participants had diabetic nephropathy, 46% had diabetic neuropathy while 26% had PAD. No significant association was found between RDW, diabetic neuropathy and PAD (p=NS). However, RDW was strongly associated with diabetic nephropathy (p=0.006), even following adjustment for potential confounding variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed RDW (odds ratio [OR] 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-2.35, p=0.006), estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-0.99, p<0.001), night-time diastolic blood pressure (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.11, p=0.001) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.004-1.05, p=0.019) to be independently associated with diabetic nephropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to report lack of association between RDW, neuropathy and PAD in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. More importantly, RDW was shown to be significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy in a type 2 diabetic population with advanced proliferative retinopathy independent of traditional risk factors, including diabetes duration and glycaemic control.

Association between red blood cell count and renal function exist in type 1 diabetic patients in the absence of nephropathy

Anemia is a prevalent finding in patients with type 1 diabetes, particularly in those with albuminuria or reduced renal function. We investigated the relationship between red blood cell count (RBC) and renal function in type 1 diabetic patients with normal or mildly impaired renal function and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE) < 30 mg/24 h. Study included 313 type 1 diabetic patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 mL min(-1) 1.73 m(-2), and before any interventions with statins, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. UAE was measured from at least two 24-h urine samples. Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), erythrocytes (E), serum iron and ferritin levels were significantly lower in subjects in the highest quartile of serum creatinine compared to those in lowest quartile (132 vs 148 g/L, 0.39 vs 0.42 L/L, 4.5 vs 4.8 x 10(12)/L, 13 vs 18 micromol/L, and 25 vs 103 microg/L, respectively, for all p < 0.001). Hb and Hct levels were significantly lower in subjects in the highest quartile of UAE compared to those in lowest quartile (135 vs 140 g/L, and 0.40 vs 0.41 L/L, respectively, for all p = 0.03). Finally, those with mildly impaired eGFR had significantly lower levels of Hb, Hct and E compared to those with normal eGFR or hyperfiltrating subjects (133 vs 140 g/L, 0.38 vs 0.41 L/L, and 4.4 vs 4.7 x 10(12)/L, respectively, for all p = 0.01). We have detected that interplay between RBC and renal function parameters occurs even in type 1 diabetic patients with normal or mildly impaired renal function.

Dietary docosahexaenoic acid levels influence the outcome of arabinosylcytosine chemotherapy in L1210 leukemic mice

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dietary supplementation with the n-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in combination with arabinosylcytosine (AraC) chemotherapy could prolong the life expectancy of mice bearing L1210 leukemia. The four control diets included rodent chow, a diet containing 5% of a blended oil mimicking the fatty acid composition of rodent chow, and diets containing 5% or 10% fat with safflower oil as the main oil source. The two DHA-supplemented diets provided 1.5% or 3.5% DHA and 5% or 10% total fat, respectively. After tumor cell inoculation, mice were treated with AraC for 10 days. Mice fed the 5% safflower oil diet (30.1 -/+ 4.1 days), but not those fed the 10% safflower oil diet, survived longer than the chow-fed animals (22.1 -/+ 3.1 days, P = 0.05). The 1.5%-/+ DHA diet (average intake 1.8 g DHA/kg/day) was associated with a longer life span (33.3 -/+ 3.4 days, P < 0.01 vs. chow-fed) and no incidence of death due to drug toxicity. Further increasing DHA intake (4.5 g DHA/kg/day) resulted in shortened survival time (26.5 -/+ 2.0 days), increased circulating tumor cell burden, and lowered red blood cell concentrations. These data suggest that a modest level of dietary DHA or linoleic acid supplementation may improve the antineoplastic efficacy of AraC. However, overconsumption of DHA reverses the beneficial effect of DHA intake on drug sensitivity.

Nucleated red blood cell counts: not associated with brain injury or outcome

The objective was to determine whether an elevated nucleated red blood cell count at birth after perinatal depression is associated with brain injury as measured by (1) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and (2) abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome at 30 months of age. The nucleated red blood cell counts from the first 24 hours of life were statistically analyzed in 33 term infants enrolled in a prospective study of the value of magnetic resonance imaging for the determination of neurodevelopmental outcome after perinatal depression. Nucleated red blood cell counts were elevated in 13/33 (39%). Abnormal outcome (19/33, 54%) was associated with Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-Perinatal Extension (P = 0.04), decreased N-acetylaspartate to choline ratio in the basal ganglia (P = 0.009), and increased lactate to choline ratio in the basal ganglia (P = 0.02), but not with cord pH, Apgar score, or nucleated red blood cell value. In a logistic regression model, increasing nucleated red blood cell counts did not increase the odds of an abnormal outcome at 30 months of age (OR 1.02, P = 0.17). In a population of neonates with perinatal depression, the nucleated red blood cell count at birth does not correlate with magnetic resonance spectroscopy or 30-month neurodevelopmental outcome. The nucleated red blood cell count should not be used as a surrogate marker for subsequent brain injury.

[The erythron system in body exposure to nitrogen oxides]

AIM

Assessment of erythron parameters in subjects exposed occupationally to nitrogen oxides polluted air versus those who work in healthy environment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Levels of red cells, reticulocytes, packed cell volume, resistance of red cell membranes to acid buffer were measured in 95 subjects working in polluted environment and 89 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Long-term (10 years and longer) contact with nitrogases entails a tendency to lowering of red cell number in the exposed subjects, significant rise of packed cell volume, increased mean cell volume of red cells, anisocytosis and reticulocytosis, high acid resistance of red cells and their membrane permeability. The causes of these changes are discussed in terms of "uneffective erythropoiesis" conception.

CONCLUSION

Thus, erythron parameters can serve for indication of toxic effects of some chemicals on human body.

Haemoglobin, haematocrit and red blood cell indices in elite cyclists. Are the control values for blood testing valid?

BACKGROUND

In international cycling and cross-country skiing competitions, blood tests are used to unmask the performance enhancing misuse of erythropoietin. Haematocrit (cycling) and haemoglobin (cross-country skiing) limits have been set by international sporting federations (haematocrit 50%, haemoglobin 18.5 g/dl). Athletes tested above these cut-off values are declared unfit for competition. To investigate the validity of these regulations, we studied haemoglobin, haematocrit and red blood cell indices of elite cyclists before erythropoietin became commercially available.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We investigated 523 blood samples of 92 male elite cyclists (age 16-31 years) from 1978 to 1987. Haematocrit, haemoglobin and red blood cell count were analysed automatically, erythrocyte indices were calculated.

RESULTS

Haemoglobin (-0.3 +/- 1 g/dl), haematocrit (-1.2 +/- 2.8%) and red blood cell count (-0.2 +/- 0.4 x 10(6)/mm3) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing training workload. The erythrocyte indices showed no significant change. Fifty-four blood samples (10.3%) showed a haematocrit above 50%, one sample presented a haemoglobin mass higher than 18.5 g/dl. During periods of increased workload, less athletes tested above the haematocrit limit.

CONCLUSION

The current haematocrit limit used in blood tests might lead to a high number of false positive tests.