| Biomedical sciences |
Cardiovascular risk assessment and hormone replacement therapy |
Clinical research, trials |
Coagulation biochemistry and disorders |
| Cytokines, Nitric Oxide |
Foetal, maternal and neonatal physiology |
Haemotology |
Hormone physiology and biochemistry |
| Inflammation and coagulation syndromes |
Medical Sciences, Research |
Menopause |
Molecular haematology |
| Oral contaraceptives and haemostasis |
Pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation |
Prevention, treatment of thromboembolic complications in pregnancy |
Reproduction, fertility and contraception |
| Thrombosis and haemostasis |
Vascular Biology, Thrombosis |
| Project title |
Phytoestogens as an alternative to HRT: assessing thrombotic risk in cell and animal models |
| Summary |
The aim of this study is to examine the molecular effects of phytoestrogens on the molecular determinants of thrombus formation in both cell and animal models. By understanding these effects we may be able to assess the potential of these compounds as oestrogen alternatives with less thrombotic risk. |
| Funding Agency |
HRB |
| Programme |
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| Type of Project |
PhD studentship |
| Date from |
2007 |
| Date to |
2010 |
| Person Months |
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| Project title |
Prediction and Prevention of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy |
| Summary |
Venous thromboembolism remains the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment and inadequate thromboprophylaxis account for the majority of deaths associated with this disease.
Pharmacokinetics studies are required in specific groups of pregnant women receiving LMWH prophylaxis in order to devise effective evidence based dosing strategies. The recent triennial report indentified obese pregnant women and women post caesarean section, as two groups particularly at risk and where further work is required. This study will (1) investigate thrombin activity as a potential predictive tool for venous thromboembolism in pregnancy using the SCOPE study cohort (2) study the full anticoagulant (anti-IIa and anti-Xa) profile of obese pregnant woman and women post caesarean section receiving LMWH prophylaxis.
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| Funding Agency |
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| Programme |
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| Type of Project |
Collaborative study with Prof. John Higgins; Dr. Susan O’Shea UCC) |
| Date from |
July 2009 |
| Date to |
July 2012 |
| Person Months |
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| Project title |
THE ROLE OF TISSUE FACTOR AND TISSUE FACTOR PATHWAY INHIBITOR IN OVARIAN CANCER |
| Summary |
Tissue Factor (TF) is a potent trigger of the coagulation cascade which is normally released following vascular injury. In normal tissue, TF expression is restricted to extravascular sites however recent evidence has shown that tumour cells can constitutively express TF leading to thrombin and fibrin formation on the cell surface. This activation of the coagulation system has been shown to be related to survival and is also implicated in the increased venous thromboembolic (VTE) risk in cancer patients. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is the natural inhibitor of TF coagulant and signalling activities. TFPI exhibits anti-angiogenic and antimetastatic effects in vitro and in vivo. In animal models of experimental metastasis, both circulating and tumour associated TFPI have been shown to significantly reduce tumour cell induced activation and lung metastasis. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynaecological malignancy. The lifetime risk of developing the disease is now estimated at 1 in 59. Ovarian cancer is known to display a particular association with VTE with reports of up to 14% of patients with clear cell carcinoma of the ovary developing thromboembolic complications. In addition, patients undergoing chemotherapy have an enhanced risk of vascular thrombosis which varies among different chemotherapeutic regimens. VTE is a life threatening condition and its management is challenging in these patients who often undergo major pelvic and abdominal surgery and receive combination chemotherapy. The pathological and cellular mechanisms underlying this thrombogenic risk in cancers are not fully understood.
The aim of this study is to determine the role of TF and its inhibitor TFPI in the progression of ovarian cancer and to assess their potential as predictive tools for venous thrombosis in ovarian cancer patients during treatment.
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| Funding Agency |
St. James's Hospital Gynae Oncology Fund |
| Programme |
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| Type of Project |
Collaborative study with Dr. Noreen Gleeson |
| Date from |
2010 |
| Date to |
2012 |
| Person Months |
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| Project title |
An Investigation into the in vitro effects of oestradiol and norethisterone on coagulation and fibrinolytic gene expression |
| Summary |
Although it is established that hormone preparations can alter coagulation and fibrinolytic activity, the mechanism for this and its relation to increased cardiovascular risk in hormone users is unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vitro effects of estradiol and norethisterone on the expression of coagulation and fibrinolytic genes in cell culture. Using TaqMan PCR and low density arrays, the direct and indirect effects of these preparations will be investigated in endothelial and hepatocyte cultures |
| Funding Agency |
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| Programme |
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| Type of Project |
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| Date from |
2008 |
| Date to |
2011 |
| Person Months |
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| Project title |
A comparative study of the effects of oral (estradiol 1mg/0.5mg norethisterone acetate) versus transdermal (estradiol 25µg/125µg norethisterone) on haemostatis in healthy post menopausal women |
| Summary |
HRT is known to cause changes in coagulation and fibrinolytic gene activation which may explain the increased risk of thrombosis associated with these combinations. If these preparations are taken transdermally, the liver first pass effect is avoided and this may reduce their effects on coagulation and fibrinolytic activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of the route of admiminstration on the effects of HRT on haemostasis. Levels of coagulation and fibrinolytic activators and inhibitors will be measured in a group of healthy post menopausal women taking a transdermal preparation compared with a group taking an oral preparation |
| Funding Agency |
Novartis |
| Programme |
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| Type of Project |
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| Date from |
2002 |
| Date to |
2005 |
| Person Months |
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| Norris L A, Brosnan J, Bonnar J, Conard J, Kluft C, Hellgren M , INHIBITORS AND ACTIVATION MARKERS OF THE HAEMOSTATIC SYSTEM DURING HORMONE THERAPY: , Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 100, (2), 2008, p253 - 260 |
Brosnan JF, Sheppard BL, Norris LA, Haemostatic activation in post menopausal women taking low dose hormone therapy: less effect with transdermal administration?, Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 97, (4), 2007, p558 - 565
DOI |
| Norris LA, Bonnar J, Smith MP, Steer PJ, Savidge G, Low molecular weight heparin (tinzaparin) therapy for moderate risk thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy. A pharmacokinetic study, Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 92, (4), 2004, p791 - 796 |
| Smith MP, Norris LA, Steer PJ, Savidge GF, Bonnar J, Tinzaparin sodium for thrombosis treatment and prevention during pregnancy., American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 190, (4), 2004, p495 - 501 |
| More Publications>>> |
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Last Updated:25-MAY-2013 |