Publication: Investigating the ultrastructure of platelets of HIV patients treated with the immuno-regulator, Canova:
a qualitative scanning electron microscopy study
Loading...
Date
2009
Authors
Pretorius, E. ; Smit, E ; Oberholzer, H.M. ; Briedenhann, S. ; Franz, R.C. ; Steyn, E.
item.page.secondaryauthor
item.page.director
Publisher
Murcia : F. Hernández
publication.page.editor
publication.page.department
DOI
item.page.type
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
The resistance of HIV strains to the available
antiretroviral medication has become a major problem in
the world today. This has forced researchers to
investigate the possible use of alternative drugs such as
homeopathic medicine (e.g. immunomodulators) to
enhance the immune system of patients infected with
HIV. Canova is an immunomodulator of herbal origin
which is known to stimulate the host defense against
several pathological states through the activation of the
immune system. Blood platelets play an important role
in homeostasis, thrombosis and the immune response by
forming platelet aggregates. The ultrastructure of platelet
aggregates of patients with HIV has been studied
previously using SEM to determine the effect of HIV on
the platelet morphology. Membrane blebbing and
ruptured platelet membranes were observed which is
indicative of apoptosis, revealing that HIV patients may
develop thrombocytopenia as a result of peripheral
platelet destruction. The aim of the current study was to
investigate the effect of HIV on the morphology of
platelets from patients treated with the immunomodulator, Canova, compared to control individuals and
HIV patients not on the Canova treatment. Blood was
drawn from the individuals and the coagula were formed
by adding human thrombin to the platelet rich plasma.
Examination was done using SEM. CD4 counts were
also determined. Slight morphological changes were
seen when comparing the fibrin networks from the
control, untreated HIV patients and the Canova-treated
HIV patients, suggesting that HIV does not impact on
the fragility of fibrin networks. In HIV patients there are
bleb-like bulges on the membrane of platelets as well as
membrane breakages visible on the aggregate, whereas
in the Canova-treated patients membrane blebbing is far
less pronounced and there are large areas of intact,
smooth membranes with visible canalicular areas,
suggesting that Canova protects the membranes of
platelets and that blebbing does not appear in such great
proportions as was found in the untreated HIV group.
These results support and provide ultrastructural
evidence for the results seen in previous research, where
it is seen that Canova protects the immune system of
immuno-compromised patients by keeping the
ultrastructure intact thereby preventing the devastating
cyto-destructive effects of HIV disease.
publication.page.subject
Citation
item.page.embargo
Ir a Estadísticas
Sin licencia Creative Commons.