Clarence A. Johnson

The benefits of ribose in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease still ranks as the leading cause of death in men and women. Adults have tried to lower their risk of cardiovascular disease by improving their diet, quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and exercising regularly. Additionally, many adults have turned to nutriceutical or natural products. Myocardial ischemia, produces a depression in myocardial tissue levels of high energy compounds, along with a compromise in myocardial function. Ribose, a naturally occurring sugar, has been extensively investigated, both in animal and clinical studies, as an agent to enhance the recovery of these depressed energy compounds. Results of these studies have been promising in enhancing the recovery of these energy molecules along with an improvement in myocardial function. Therefore, ribose should be considered as a potential agent in the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular disease.

Platelet storage solution improves the in vitro function of preserved platelet concentrate.

Background and Objectives  Stored platelets develop biochemical lesions, manifest as depressed haemostatic function, clot retraction and wound healing. ViaCyte™, a proprietary experimental preservative solution (comprising d‐ribose, d‐glucose, Hanks solution, Hepes solution, bovine serum albumin, tic anticoagulant peptide and sterile water), was tested in comparison with the presently accepted storage solution, citrate–dextrose–phosphate–plasma (CDP‐P), to evaluate its ability to preserve platelet function during storage.

A new platelet preservative

A new platelet preservative, ViaCyte. (balanced salt solution, physiological buffer, D-ribose, bovine serum albumin, D-glucose, sterile water) was tested against the presently used storage solution (citrate-phosphate-dextrose; CPD) and results revealed that ViaCyte demonstrated added protection for platelets during storage-induced activation. Following five days of storage at room temperature, only 12.2% of platelets stored in ViaCyte exhibited P-selectin expression at rest and, upon thrombin challenge, 64.2% were activated, an increase of 42%. In control platelets (platelets stored in CDP), 44.4% were activated due to storage-induced lesions, and thrombin stimulation resulted in 47.9% P-selectin expression, an increase of only 2.5%. ViaCyte storage maintained the resting state and preserved platelet function, making more platelets available for activation upon agonist challenge. This preliminary study demonstrated that the presently used standard preservative does not offer protection from storage-induced lesions. Partially dysfunctional platelets do not contribute significantly to hemostasis in vivo and play little role, if any, in clot retraction and wound healing processes.