New Treatment Developed for Dealing with Acute Blood Loss

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 11 Aug 2010
An innovative treatment that induces the production of new red blood cells (RBCs) in the body could transform treatment of acute blood loss and anemia in trauma, surgery, cancer, and kidney and heart disease.

The treatment involves a newly patented product called HemoTech, which is based on bovine hemoglobin, chemically modified with Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), Adenosine, and the tripeptide Glutathione (GSH). HemoTech works in two ways; it carries oxygen in the blood, and also induces erythropoiesis by stabilizing a cell factor called Hif-1 alpha. The combination of therapy could be an advantage when treating trauma cases as well as in elective surgery in third world countries that are plagued with a high incidence of HIV or Hepatitis contaminated blood, and for use by the military and homeland security. The novel chemical structure of HemoTech diminishes the intrinsic toxicities that have plagued other attempts at developing oxygen carriers.

Among the primary benefits of HemoTech are nontoxicity, with no adverse reactions of the kidneys or the nervous system, and no adverse inflammatory reactions. HemoTech also has vasodilatory effects on the blood vessels, reducing the vasoconstriction that follows hemorrhage. The product's oxygen affinity closely mimics human RBCs, and does not cause adverse effects resulting from excessive interaction with oxygen. HemoTech sustains close to normal amount of plasma in the blood while stimulating erythropoiesis, allowing the body to replace its native blood supply faster than it would otherwise take following transfusion. HemoTech is being developed by HemoBioTech (Dallas, TX, USA), and is compatible with all blood types and can be available for administration within minutes.

"HemoTech addresses a multibillion dollar market for treatment of acute blood loss and anemia with the potential advantage of fewer side effects and the ability to deliver oxygen in acute situations,” said Arthur P. Bollon, Ph.D., CEO of HemoBioTech. "The major advance in HemoTech is the presence of Adenosine which has anti-inflammatory activity.”

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