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Biomedical subjects

A Allegra

Publications and source records attributed to A Allegra.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Does captopril have a direct pro-apoptotic effect?

The beneficial effect of ACE inhibitors on cardiovascular remodelling from hypertension and ischemic disease may be due to the effect of these drugs on the proliferation/cell death balance. We therefore investigated the effect of the addition of captopril in vitro, on the onset of apoptosis in human vascular myocytes, by using a propidium iodide fluorescence analysis and a morphological analysis using the acridine orange technique. Captopril (0.23 mM) caused an increase in apoptotic phenomena that was more than 3. 5-fold than in controls both at the 24th (7.7 vs. 2%) and the 48th h (10.1 vs. 3.8%). The addition of propranolol strengthened the effect on apoptosis. The induction of apoptotic phenomena may be a mechanism by which ACE inhibitors affect cardiovascular remodelling and it might also explain the favorable effect these drugs have on diseases such as IgA nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1999

Onset of myasthenia gravis in a patient affected by rheumatoid arthritis never treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

We describe a patient affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that developed myasthenia gravis (MG) after 20 years of illness. The peculiarity of this case concerns both the rare association between these diseases and the fact that the patients had never assumed disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. These treatments have been associated in some clinical reports with the onset of MG during the clinical course of RA. To our knowledge this is the first case described in medical literature up to now.

Antirheumatic Agents↗
PubMed1999

Psychrotrophic bacteria from a coastal station in the Ross sea (Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica).

Seawater samples were collected from a fixed, coastal station in the Terra Nova Bay at different depths during the Xth Oceanographic Cruise in the 1994-95 Antarctic summer. Picoplanktonic abundance, estimated by direct counts in epifluorescence microscopy, ranged from 2.2 x 10(7) to 1.6 x 10(8) cells.l-1. The heterotrophic bacterial densities, evaluated on Marine Agar 2216 (Difco) after incubation at +4 degrees C for 21 days, ranged from 2 x 10(3) to 4.5 x 10(6) CFU.l-1. The qualitative composition of the heterotrophic bacterial community was studied on 64 morphological and biochemical characters of the 125 strains isolated. Heterotrophic, psychrotrophic isolates were tentatively identified at genus level as Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Acinetobacter, and Flavobacterium/Cytophaga. In order to compare the characteristics of the isolates with those previously studied during 1989/90, the synthetical indices of the structure and the metabolic potentiality of the heterotrophic bacterial community were processed. Results showed that the bacterial community was metabolically more active and more homogenous than that previously studied.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Increased levels of the soluble adhesion molecule E-selectin in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders and thromboembolic complications.

Patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMD) show a high frequency of thrombosis. For this reason we evaluated endothelial cell markers, soluble adhesion molecule E-selectin (sELAM), and thrombomodulin (TM) in 25 patients with CMD. Among them nine presented thromboses in their past history. Data were compared with those obtained in a group of healthy subjects and a group of patients with secondary thrombocytosis. The mean plasma concentrations of sELAM were elevated in patients with CMD, as compared with healthy subjects (81.27 +/- 42.8 ng/ml vs. 41.75 +/- 13; P < 0.02). Similarly, the mean plasma concentrations of sTM were increased in CMD patients in comparison with the control group (102.0 +/- 73 ng/ml vs. 16.7 +/- 9.6; P < 0.01). More markedly elevated sELAM levels were observed in CMD patients with thrombosis than in patients without thrombosis (113.16 +/- 29.5 ng/ml vs. 55.11 +/- 19.1 ng/ml; P < 0.001), while no significant difference was found between CMD patients without thrombosis and secondary thrombocytosis (50.72 +/- 10.8 ng/ml). Plasma thrombomodulin values in CMD patients with thrombosis (131 +/- 93.8 ng/ml) were higher than those without thrombosis (65.77 +/- 43.9 ng/ml; P < 0.02). sTM values were also significantly increased in patients with secondary thrombocytosis (P < 0.01). It is speculated that the plasma, sELAM levels may reflect endothelium activation and that it is possibly useful in predicting the thrombotic risk in myeloproliferative disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of intracerebroventricular leptin administration on food intake, body weight gain and diencephalic nitric oxide synthase activity in the mouse.

1. Intracranial administration of leptin reduces both food intake and body weight gain in the mouse. Inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase produce similar effects. 2. To investigate the role of the brain L-arginine/NO pathway in mediating this effect of leptin, we have evaluated food intake and body weight gain after daily (5 days) intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of leptin (0.5-2 microg) alone or in association with L-arginine (10 microg). Moreover, we measured diencephalic nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity after a single i.c.v. leptin (0.25-2 microg) injection and after consecutive doses of leptin (0.25-2 microg) over 5 days. The time course of the effect of leptin on NOS activity was also evaluated. 3. I.c.v. injected leptin (1 and 2 microg) significantly and dose-dependently reduced food intake and body weight gain with respect to vehicle (food intake: 5.97+/-0.16 g 24 h(-1) and 4.27+/-0.18 g 24 h(-1), respectively, vs 8.05+/-0.34 g 24 h(-1), P<0.001, n=6 for each group; body weight gain: -10.7+/-0.46% and -15.7+/-0.65%, respectively, vs 5.14+/-0.38%, P<0.001, n=6 for each group). This effect was antagonized by L-arginine (food intake: 7.90+/-0.37 g 24 h; body weight gain: 5.11+/-0.31%, n=6). Diencephalic NOS activity was significantly reduced by the highest doses of leptin with respect to vehicle (vehicle: 0.90+/-0.04 nmol citrulline min(-1) g(-1) tissue; leptin 1 microg: 0.62+/-0.03 nmol citrulline min(-1) g(-1) tissue, P<0.001; leptin 2 microg: 0.44+/-0.03 nmol citrulline min(-1) g(-1) tissue, P<0.001, n=6 for each group). Similar results were obtained in animals treated with daily consecutive doses of leptin. The inhibitory effect appeared rapidly (within 30 min) and was long lasting (up to 12 h). 4. Our results suggest that the brain L-arginine/NO pathway may be involved in the central effect of leptin on feeding behaviour and body weight gain in mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Reduced blood bcl-2 protein concentration in patients on hemodialysis.

The concentrations of bcl-2 protein that can block programmed cellular death in various cell lines were evaluated in blood samples from 10 uremic patients on hemodialysis, 10 uremics not yet on hemodialysis, and in 10 healthy controls. The bcl-2 protein variations (in uremics on dialysis) were ascertained in patients during the dialysis session. Oxidative stress was evaluated in all groups by assaying the products of intraerythrocytic lipoperoxidation. Dialyzed and nondialyzed uremic patients had higher bcl-2 protein concentrations than healthy subjects. Dialysis causes a significant reduction in the concentrations of bcl-2 protein which becomes statistically significant during the 3rd hour. In both groups of uremic patients a positive correlation was found between bcl-2 protein and products of lipoperoxidation.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Increased transforming growth factor-beta1 plasma concentration is associated with high plasma 3,3',5'-tri-iodothyronine in elderly patients with nonthyroidal illnesses.

OBJECTIVE: To study transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) plasma concentrations in elderly patients with nonthyroidal illnesses (NTI). DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: We measured plasma concentrations of tri-iodothyronine (T3), reverse T3 (rT3), thyroxine (T4), free T3 (fT3) and free T4 (fT4) estimates, TSH, and TGF-beta1 in 48 elderly NTI patients consecutively admitted in our Division of Internal Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, and in 11 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: The data on thyroid hormones enabled us to identify three groups: Group A, subjects (8 patients) with T3 and fT3 levels comparable to those in controls: Group B, subjects (30 patients) with T3 and fT3 levels lower than controls but rT3 levels comparable to those of controls; Group C, subjects (10 patients) with T3 and fT3 levels lower than those of controls and higher rT3 levels. The patients of Group C showed higher plasma levels of TGF-beta1 compared with controls. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between TGF-beta1 and rT3 (rs = 0.38, P < 0.01) in the whole group of NTI patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data seem to confirm the hypothesis that TGF-beta1 could play a role in the pathogenesis of some modifications of thyroid function observed in patients with nonthyroidal illnesses.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Plasma (total and ionized), erythrocyte and platelet magnesium levels in renal transplant recipients during cyclosporine and/or azathioprine treatment.

We evaluated total and ionized plasma magnesium levels, and erythrocyte and platelet magnesium concentrations from two groups of renal transplant recipients treated either with cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisolone (group CAP, n = 8) or with azathioprine and prednisolone (group AP, n = 13), and in a group of age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (n = 10). Reduced plasma (total and ionized), erythrocyte and platelet magnesium concentrations were found in both CAP and AP groups with respect to controls (CAP: total plasma Mg median 0.61 vs 0.86 mmol/L, p < 0.01, ionized plasma Mg median 0.43 vs 0.58 mmol/L, p < 0.001, erythrocyte Mg median 2.18 vs 2.56 mmol/L, p < 0.05, platelet Mg median 1.75 vs 2.84 mmol/10(8) cells, p < 0.001; AP: total plasma Mg median 0.62 vs 0.86 mmol/L, p < 0.01, ionized plasma Mg median 0.48 vs 0.58 mmol/L, p < 0.001, erythrocyte Mg median 2.30 vs 2.56 mmol/L, p < 0.05, platelet Mg median 1.75 vs 2.84 mumol/10(8) cells, p < 0.001), while no difference was found between the two groups of transplant recipients as regards plasma and intracellular magnesium levels. Magnesium fractional excretion was higher in transplant recipients than in the control group (Mg fractional excretion median AP 18.6 per cent and CAP 12.8 per cent vs controls 3.5 per cent), whereas no difference was found between patients and control subjects for urinary magnesium 24h excretion. Moreover, in the whole group of transplant recipients (n = 21), urinary magnesium showed an inverse correlation with platelet (rs = -0.54, p < 0.05) and ionized plasma magnesium (rs = -0.48, p < 0.05), and time after transplantation showed a negative correlation with platelet magnesium concentrations (rs = -0.73, p < 0.001), and a direct correlation with fractional magnesium excretion (rs = 0.53, p < 0.05). Finally, a direct relationship between platelet magnesium and ionized plasma magnesium was also detected in the whole group of transplant recipients (rs = 0.47, p < 0.05). Both intraplatelet magnesium depletion and ionized plasma magnesium reduction induced by immunosuppressive therapy could be involved in the increased risk from atherosclerotic disease in renal transplant recipients.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1998

Galactosaminoglucuronoglycan sulphate in the treatment of osteoarthritis: clinical efficacy and tolerance of oral and intra-articular administrations.

The clinical efficacy and the tolerance of galactosaminoglucuronoglycan sulphate (GGGS), administered both orally and intra-articularly were evaluated for the treatment of generalized and localized osteoarthritis (OA). The study included 154 patients: 52 treated orally with GGGS, observed during three periods of three consecutive months of therapy followed by eight weeks of withdrawal, 52 treated only with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and 50 patients treated two times in a year with a total of twelve (6 x 2) knee intra-articular weekly injections. The tolerance to GGGS was excellent, and the monitoring of the clinical measurements revealed a significant improvement of the articular data with a decreasing of NSAID's consumption.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

[Obesity and hypertension: the role of magnesium].

We focus on the recent "ionic hypothesis", in which an alteration of ionic metabolism represents a peculiar event in the pathogenesis of obesity and hypertension. We report the results from our original studies in which we evaluated intraplatelet magnesium levels. In a study on normotensive and hypertensive patients with non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and healthy control subjects, we showed a common reduction of plasma, erythrocyte and platelet magnesium levels in both normotensive and hypertensive diabetics with respect to control. Anyway, hypertensive diabetics showed a greater reduction of intraplatelet magnesium concentrations when compared to normotensive diabetics. Using the same technique, we found reduced erythrocyte and platelet magnesium concentrations in patients with essential hypertension with respect to the control group. In a successive study, we found, in the group of normotensive obese, that erythrocyte and platelet magnesium levels were significantly lower than those of the control group, while in hypertensive obese patients a reduction of plasma magnesium levels has been also detected. In conclusion, in these studies has been confirmed the existence of a reduction of the intracellular magnesium concentrations, which is common in hypertensive and obese patients.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1998

[Leptin: adipocyte hormone].

The authors reviewed the most recent literature on leptin, a protein produced by adipocytes which exerts its action on hypothalamus, modifying eating behavior and inhibiting the lust for food consumption. This one appeared to be the main, if not the only, physiologic action of leptin. Later leptin has been acknowledged a major role in the homeostasis. The regulation of the synthesis, and the mechanisms by which the protein modulates both food intake and energetic balance have been evaluated, and the hypotheses on the regulatory function exerted by leptin on the homeostasis, by acting on neuroendocrine system, on sexual maturity and fertility, on the sympathetic nervous system, on hemopoiesis and hydroelectrolytic balance have been discussed, some of which being already supported by experimental evidences.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

Clinical efficacy and tolerance of nabumetone in articular and non-articular rheumatic disorders: personal experience during 12 weeks of treatment.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical efficacy and the tolerance of Nabumetone (N), in comparison with a pool of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in a cohort of patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, non-articular rheumatisms and primary fibromyalgic syndrome. METHODS: One hundred and seventy patients were observed in an open-non randomized study. The patients have been recruited alternatively and subdivided into two groups: 84 patients that received N and 86 patients that received one of the other NSAIDs. All the patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis received a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (OH-chloroquine, d-penicillamine, auranofin, cyclosporine-A); while benzodiazepines are administered in the patients suffering from primary fibromyalgic syndrome. A follow-up not inferior to 12 consecutive weeks was realized and the following clinical parameters were studied: spontaneous pain, provoked pain, pain on active movement, pain on passive movement, pain at rising, pain at bed time, morning stiffness, limited joint mobility, number of tender points, number of affected joints and number of swollen joints. All the patients were monitored for hematological, biochemical, urinary and clotting tests. RESULTS: The results revealed an excellent tolerability of nabumetone with a clinical efficacy not inferior to the NSAIDs' pool. Moreover, the number of drop-outs in the N-group were significantly inferior in comparison to the NSAIDs'-pool group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that N can be considered as effective as other NSAIDs. Moreover it seems to be better tolerated that the other NSAIDs utilized in our study.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Lack of endogenous estrogens effects on circulating adhesion molecule ICAM-1.

The serum vascular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 that is involved in atherogenesis was determined in fertile, postmenopausal and at term pregnant women. The aim of the study was to ascertain if the antiatherogenic estrogens action may involve this adhesion molecule. The serum ICAM-1 concentrations resulted similar in the three groups studied: 331 +/- 35 ng/ml, 333 +/- 28 ng/ml and 302 +/- 53 ng/ml in fertile, postmenopausal and pregnant subjects respectively, despite the very different estrogen plasma levels. These data, the first on the ICAM-1 serum levels in women with different natural hormonal milieu, demonstrate that estrogens antiatherogenic action is not involving ICAM-1.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Plasma, erythrocyte and platelet magnesium levels in type 1 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and clinical proteinuria.

We evaluated plasma, erythrocyte and platelet magnesium levels in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with normoalbuminuria (N = 10), microalbuminuria (N = 10), and clinical proteinuria (N = 7), and in a group of healthy subjects (N = 10). We found that IDDM patients had lower platelet magnesium levels when compared to controls. Lower platelet magnesium concentrations were found in patients with microalbuminuria (1.859 +/- 0.47 vs 2.340 +/- 0.46 mumol/10(8) cells, p < 0.05) and in those with clinical proteinuria (1.522 +/- 0.19 vs 2.340 +/- 0.46 mumol/10(8) cells, p < 0.01) with respect to the group with normoalbuminuria. In the groups with microalbuminuria and clinical proteinuria we detected a negative correlation between HbA1c and both plasma and platelet magnesium. Our findings indicate that microalbuminuria and clinical proteinuria are associated with an altered magnesium homeostasis. In particular, decreased platelet magnesium concentrations could represent an additional risk factor in the pathogenesis of microvascular complications of diabetes.

Adult↗