title: Decrease of fibronectin following repeated infusion of highly substituted hydroxyethyl starch.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fibronectin (Fn) plays an important part in unspecific defense mechanisms because of its ability to mediate the binding of foreign-body particles, bacteria, collagen, and other macromolecules to phagocytising cells of the reticulo-endothelial system (RES). The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a 10-day hemodilution therapy on Fn concentration in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients were randomized and treated with either 10% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 200/0.62 or 6% HES 200/0.62.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neurology department of an university clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 12 patients with cerebrovascular perfusion disturbances.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Fn concentration was determined using simple radial immunodiffusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Fn concentration dropped significantly in all 12 patients (p < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner beyond the dilution effect. 10% HES 200/0.62 caused a Fn decrease from 26.6 +/- 9.2 to 10.0 +/- 2.2 mg/dl (-62.2%), 6% HES reduced Fn from 25.5 +/- 9.9 to 15.0 +/- 3.2 mg/dl (-41.1%). In one patient there was a continuous decrease of Fn from 41.0 down to only 6.4 mg/dl.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of animal experiments, the decrease of Fn seems to indicate depression of the RES. Besides its defense function, Fn probably plays a role in embryogenesis, wound healing, and blood clotting. Therefore, we assume that the drug-induced reduction of Fn possibly has clinical relevance.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik, Universitätskliniken des Saarlandes, Hornburg.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Treib
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haass
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pindur
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Grauer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wenzel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schimrigk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006438:Hemodilution; D006801:Humans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012157:Mononuclear Phagocyte System / Q000503:physiopathology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D010952:Plasma Substitutes
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D010952:Plasma Substitutes