The extracellular actin-scavenger system and actin toxicity

Article Abstract:

Filaments formed from the protein actin enables mammalian cells to change shape and size, or to move spontaneously. When actin is released from dying cells into the bloodstream, the formation of filaments may be fatal. The actin-scavenger system breaks down filaments of actin, and clears it from the blood. Gelsolin and Gc protein are two blood proteins that break up and clear actin filaments from extracellular space. Actin exists as a single molecule or as filaments within cells, and several intracellular proteins are capable of binding actin molecules. Gelsolin binds both actin molecules and filaments, but Gc protein only binds individual molecules. Laboratory tests exist to measure blood levels of gelsolin, Gc protein or protein-actin complexes. A variety of diseases may injure cells, and cause the release of actin. Measurement of blood levels of protein-actin complexes in patients may indicate the severity of disease. Patients with large amounts of tissue damage may release more actin than the scavenger system is able to clear, causing even more damage.

Physiological aspects, Proteins, Actin

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Acetaminophen toxicity in an urban county hospital

Article Abstract:

Patients accidentally overdosing on acetaminophen appear to have worse liver disease characteristics and die more frequently than those attempting suicide with an acetaminophen overdose. Liver disease, death rates, and alcohol consumption were compared among 21 patients accidentally overdosing with acetaminophen and 50 patients attempting suicide with the drug. A greater percentage of the patients accidentally overdosing were in a coma associated with liver disease, had evidence of liver cell death, were alcoholics, and died than those attempting suicide. Those attempting suicide had taken more acetaminophen.

Drugs, Patient outcomes, Mortality, Poisoning, Accidental, Accidental poisoning, Acetaminophen, Overdose

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Hepatitis B virus infection

Article Abstract:

The hepatitis B virus globally infects over 350 million people and can cause chronic liver infection, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Infection usually results from sexual contact, IV drug use, and exposure to blood and bodily fluids in the workplace. The virus also can be transmitted in blood transfusions and transplanted organs. Treatment depends on the stage of infection, but recombinant interferon can induce remission or eliminate the virus in some patients. Vaccination is recommended for adults at high risk, and routinely for newborns and adolescents.

Analysis, Hepatitis B

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