Active clinical trials for "Anemia"

The objective of this study is to measure the change in hemoglobin levels after the administration of an amino acid based, RBC precursor formulation.

The purpose of the study is: To investigate the effect of sport-specific stress in the iron metabolism of dragon boat athletes To investigate the effects of sport-specific stress in the activity of pro-hepcidin and hepcidin

Oral iron supplementation (OIS) is a widely-used strategy to treat iron deficiency anemia. However, absorption of OIS is often low and response is variable. To overcome this, large doses are given but this may reduce compliance due to gastric irritation. Thus, OIS doses should be low, while maximizing absorption. The prevailing serum hepcidin concentration (SHep) is the major determinant of iron absorption and erythrocyte iron utilization. Based on limited data in humans, SHep can be increased by a single OIS dose but the duration of the increase is uncertain: it may be in the range of 24 to 96 hr. Also, there are few data on how the increase in SHep determines the absorption of further doses of oral iron. Is there a threshold SHep at which subsequent iron absorption is sharply reduced? Better understanding of this relationship would be valuable to design more effective and safer OIS regimens. Objectives: 1) Determine the duration and magnitude of the Fe induced Hepcidin rise form a single iron dose while determining its bioavailability and 2) Compare the bioavailability of a single dose to iron supplements consumed one after the other (two dosages).

The investigators hypothesize that increasing plasma nitrite using dietary nitrate will improve platelet function and red cell deformability and decrease MCHC in patients with sickle cell disease. The investigators will test this hypothesis through administration of daily intake of beetroot juice (Unbeetable - Performance Drink) to patients with sickle cell disease for 28 days. The investigators will evaluate the safety of daily beet root juice intake in patients with sickle cell disease. In addition, the investigators will measure MCHC, red cell deformability, and platelet function (activation and aggregation) in response to daily intake of beet root juice in this patient population.

It has been estimated that 1 in 2 women expecting a baby will be diagnosed with iron deficiency. In turn iron deficiency can affect the health and wellbeing or both mother and child. Studies show that low iron stores prior to conception and low iron intakes during pregnancy may both be contributing to this problem. Although dietary supplements may be one solution, research indicates that daily compliance is low (Nguyen et al., 2008). Furthermore, prescribed iron supplements may result in uncomfortable side-effects, including constipation (Wulff & Ekstrom, 2003). It is been observed in Ethiopia that iron deficiency anemia is lower than average; a finding that has been attributed to regular "Teff" consumption (Gies et al., 2003). Teff (Eragrostis tef) is a staple food usually consumed in the form of Enjera (flat bread prepared using a range of cereals). Research has shown that Teff is a rich source of iron that is easily absorbed by the body. Although it is believed that regular Teff consumption may prevent to onset of iron deficiency anemia there is no research to support this. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to es-tablish whether incorporating Teff into the daily diet may be one way to improve blood profile and prevent the onset of iron deficiency anemia in expectant mothers. Study findings will demonstrate whether Teff may be an alternative source of iron that can be easily incorporated into the daily diet of both pregnant mothers and the lay public.

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of erythropoietin treatment of anemia on exercise capacity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The investigators would like to study the endothelial function in sickle cell patients without pulmonary hypertension in an in vivo method during a steady state condition before and after sildenafil treatment for 1 month, and to study the effects of this nitric oxide donor by measuring the Flow Mediated Dilatation, by measuring endothelial progenitor stem cells colonies, and by measuring the effect of therapy on markers of inflammation (cell adhesion molecules and cytokines).

Recently, growing body of evidence support the finding that anemia frequently occurs in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Chronic kidney disease (CKD), as well, is highly prevalent among heart failure patients, and both anemia and CKD are independently associated with increased mortality. A vicious circle is established with CHF causing both chronic renal insufficiency and anemia, and CKD further aggravating anemia which, in turn, worsens CHF and so on. Treatment of the anemia breaks this circle and improves the quality of life, cardiac and renal functions in patients with severe CHF. Intravenous iron alone was proved to allow the maintenance of target hematocrit in one-third of chronic renal failure predialysis patients. Based on these considerations, intravenous iron for anemia in patients with CHF and moderate CKD would represent a reasonable therapeutic approach. The aim of the trial is to assess the efficiency of intravenous iron therapy in the management of mild to moderate anemia associated with CHF NYHA III class and concomitant moderate CKD.

The purpose of this study is to see if darbepoetin alfa is an effective treatment for anemia in prostate cancer patients and, if so, what dose is most effective. Sometimes prostate cancer patients have low red blood cell counts (low hemoglobin) from various treatments they are receiving, such as chemotherapy. The red blood cells deliver oxygen to the tissue. This then helps give the patient more energy.

Anemia is common among low-income women after they have given birth. Anemia, or low hemoglobin in the blood cells, is usually caused by not having enough iron. Blood cells usually carry oxygen to other parts of the body. Without enough hemoglobin, the ability of blood cells to carry oxygen is decreased. Memory and work may be impaired. The purpose of this study is to evaluate three methods of giving iron to prevent anemia among low-income women after they have given birth.