The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by a hypercoagulability associated to vascular thrombosis and/or obstetric morbidity, is caused by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies such as lupus anticoagulant, anti-β-2-glycoprotein 1, and/or anticardiolipin antibodies. In the obstetrical APS, antiphospholipid antibodies induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines and tissue factor by placental tissues and recruited neutrophils. Moreover, antiphospholipid antibodies activate the complement system which, in turn, induces a positive feedback leading to recruitment of neutrophils as well as activation of the placenta. Activation of these cells triggers myometrial contractions and cervical ripening provoking the induction of labor. In thrombotic and obstetrical APS, antiphospholipid antibodies activate endothelial cells, platelets, and neutrophils and they may alter the multimeric pattern and concentration of von Willebrand factor, increase the concentration of thrombospondin 1, reduce the inactivation of factor XI by antithrombin, increase the activation of factor XII, and reduce the activity of tissue plasminogen activator with the subsequent production of plasmin. All these effects result in less permeable clots, denser, thinner, and with more branched fibrin fibers which are more difficult to lysate. As a consequence, thrombosis, the defining clinical criterion of APS, complicates the clinical course of the patient.

Background: Polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and in the plasminogen activator inhibitor -1 (PAI-1) genes have been implicated in stroke pathogenesis but results are still controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the possible contribution of Glu298Asp in the eNOS and 4G/5G in the PAI-1polymorphisms with ischemic stroke in a young Mexican population. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, conducted between January 2006 and June 2010, 204 patients ≤45 years of age with ischemic stroke and 204 controls matched by age and gender, were recruited. The Glu298Asp and 4G/5G polymorphisms were determined in all participants by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: There was a significant difference in the Glu298Asp genotype distribution (P=0.001) and allele frequency between the two groups (P=0.001). The 4G/5G genotype distribution (P=0.40) and the allele frequency was similar between groups; (P=0.13). There were independent factors for ischemic stroke: Asp carriage (GluAsp+AspAsp) (P=0.02); smoking (P=0.01); hypertension (P=0.03), and familial history of atherothrombotic disease (P=0.04). Conclusions: The Asp allele from the Gu298Asp gene represents an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in a young Mexican population. In contrast, the 4G/5G was not associated with an increased risk for this disease in the same group of patients, as previously has been demonstrated in other populations. Les polymorphismes Glu298Asp et 4G/5G et le risque d’accident vasculaire cérébral ischémique chez des individus jeunes. Contexte: Des polymorphismes du gène de la synthase de l’oxyde nitrique endothélial (eNOS) et du gène de l’inhibiteur-1 de l’activateur du plasminogène (PAI-1) ont été impliqués dans la pathogenèse de l’accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC), mais les résultats de ces études demeurent controversés. Le but de cette étude était d’examiner la contribution possible du polymorphisme Glu298Asp du gène de l’eNOS et du polymorphisme 4G/5G du gène de PAI-1 à l’AVC dans une population mexicaine jeune. Méthode: Deux cent quatre patients atteints d’un AVC ischémique et 204 témoins appariés pour l’âge et le sexe ont été inclus dans une étude cas-témoin effectuée entre janvier 2006 et juin 2010. Les polymorphismes Glu298Asp et 4G/5G ont été identifiés chez tous les participants au moyen de la technique de réaction en chaîne par polymérase - polymorphismes de longueur des fragments amplifiés. Résultats: Nous avons noté une différence significative dans la distribution du génotype Glu298Asp (p = 0,001) et la fréquence allélique entre les deux groupes (p = 0,001). La distribution du génotype 4G/5G (p = 0,40) et la fréquence allélique étaient similaires dans les deux groupes (p = 0,13). Nous avons noté des facteurs indépendants de l’AVC ischémique : être porteur de GluAsp + AspAsp (p = 0,02), être fumeur (p = 0,01), hypertendu (p = 0,03) et avoir une histoire familiale de maladie athérothrombotique (p = 0,04). Conclusions: L’allèle Asp du gène Glu298Asp est un facteur de risque indépendant de l’AVC ischémique dans une population mexicaine jeune. Par contre, le polymorphisme 4G/5G n’est pas associé à un risque accru de cette pathologie dans ce groupe de patients, contrairement à ce qui a été démontré dans d’autres populations.

The contraceptive skin patch (CSP) accepted by the U.S. FDA in 2001 includes ethinylestradiol and norelgestromine, whereas the subdermal contraceptive implant (SCI) has etonogestrel and is also approved by the FDA. In Mexico, both are now widely used for contraception but their effects on Mexican population are unknown. The objective of the study was to evaluate if these treatments induce metabolic changes in a sample of indigenous and mestizo Mexican women.

Thrombosis is the occlusion of a blood vessel and is responsible for the highest number of deaths worldwide. Its treatment comprises the use of anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and thrombolytics. Although many antithrombotic drugs are currently available, none is completely effective and safe. Plants are a valuable source of compounds with antithrombotic properties. Some orchid species have been used in traditional medicine for their antithrombotic properties. This review informs about the contribution of orchids in this field and the studies that have validated their properties.