Biomedical subjects

A Bellucci

Publications and source records attributed to A Bellucci.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Counteraction on experimentally induced diabetic neuropathy by levocarnitine acetyl.

The effect of levocarnitine acetyl on diabetic peripheral neuropathy induced by a single injection of streptozotocin or alloxan was studied. Levocarnitine acetyl was administered intraperitoneally one week after induction of diabetes at the dose of 50 mg/kg/day for five and ten weeks. At the end of treatment, neuromuscular conduction velocity (m/sec) was evaluated by stimulating the sciatic nerve and recording the soleus muscle potentials evoked, and the muscle contraction force (mm) by measuring the isometric muscular tension. Motor coordination was evaluated on the Rota-rod apparatus. Treatment with levocarnitine acetyl fully prevented the reduction (20%) in the neuromuscular conduction velocity observed in both experimental models of diabetes. The decrease (30-33%) in muscle contraction force was prevented partially in streptozotocin-induced diabetes and fully in alloxan-induced diabetes. Levocarnitine acetyl also improved the concomitantly reduced motor performance. The results of the present study suggest a beneficial effect of levocarnitine acetyl on peripheral neuropathy and muscle performance.

Acetylcarnitine↗

PubMed1992

Morphological and electrophysiological changes of peripheral nerve-muscle unit in the aged rat prevented by levocarnitine acetyl.

The effects of levocarnitine acetyl on structure and function of the sciatic nerve and neuromuscular junctions of the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles were studied in the aged rat. To that end, neuromuscular conduction velocity (NMCV) was measured in vivo and morphological and morphometric evaluations were performed. Treatment with levocarnitine acetyl, 150 mg/kg day for six months, restored NMCV values to the levels measured in the young rat; significantly reduced the number of degenerating elements; and increased the number of myelinated fibres having normal structural features. In the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles, levocarnitine acetyl increased the complexity of neuromuscular junctions. These experimental findings suggest a neurotrophic action of levocarnitine acetyl on the peripheral nervous system that might have therapeutical applications in age-related peripheral nerve changes.

Acetylcarnitine↗

PubMed1991

Plasma angiotensins in anephric humans: evidence for an extrarenal angiotensin system.

The recent identification of messenger RNAs encoding renin and angiotensinogen in nonrenal tissues raises the possibility that angiotensins (Ang) may be formed extrarenally and released into the plasma. The aim of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that plasma angiotensins may originate from extrarenal sites. Twenty-five patients with chronic renal failure (six surgically anephric and 19 with kidneys in situ) were studied prior to and after a standard hemodialysis treatment. Angiotensins were measured by extraction, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation, and radioimmunoassays. In patients with kidneys present, plasma renin activity (PRA) was 3.1 +/- 0.7 ng Ang I/ml/h. Ang I, Ang II, and Ang III levels were 70.6 +/- 9.0, 44.0 +/- 9.8, and 20.2 +/- 3.6 pg/ml, respectively. In all six anephric patients PRA was undetectable (less than 0.1 ng Ang I/ml/h). Ang I and Ang II were detected in four anephric patients, and Ang III was detected in three anephric patients (Ang I, 10.4 +/- 5.2; Ang II, 2.6 +/- 1.2; Ang III, 2.7 +/- 1.5 pg/ml, n = 6). At the completion of dialysis treatments, which reduced body weight by 2.5 +/- 0.2 kg in patients with kidneys and by 2.1 +/- 0.3 kg in anephric patients, there were no significant changes in PRA or plasma angiotensins in either group. Reduction in body water by hemodialysis did not increase the concentration of angiotensins in plasma. We conclude that there is a small but definite component of plasma angiotensin that is produced by nonrenal mechanisms and that is not stimulated by volume depletion.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Treatment of hypertension with lisinopril in end-stage renal failure.

Lisinopril (L), a novel angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, was studied as sole drug in the management of hypertensive, dialysis-treated, end-stage renal failure patients to assess its efficiency, tolerance, and removal by dialysis. High blood pressure (BP) was defined as sitting diastolic (D) BP greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg. Ten patients, two females and eight males, were treated for 12 weeks. Their features were age 49 +/- 14 years; dialysis duration 43 +/- 25 months; body weight 61 +/- 10 kg; and body mass index 21.7 +/- 3 (mean +/- SD). Serum L concentrations were measured regularly by radioimmunoassay, both before and after dialysis, which was performed with Cuprophane membranes three times per week. L, 2.5 mg orally, was given every 24 h initially; in six patients, dosage was decreased to an alternate or once-a-week schedule, because of a hypotensive effect during dialysis. At 12 weeks, BP--as compared to prestudy BP--was decreased in eight of nine patients (one patient had been withdrawn after kidney transplantation), and not changed in one patient (mean +/- SD): sitting DBP from 107 +/- 7 to 87 +/- 10 mm Hg, p less than 0.001; erect DBP from 105 +/- 5 to 86 +/- 10 mm Hg, p less than 0.001. L serum concentration was decreased by dialysis, the mean ratio of post-/predialysis serum L concentrations was 0.47 +/- 0.07 (n = 67). No side effects were disclosed, except for three patients, in whom hemoglobin decreased, while two of them also received quinine for a febrile illness of viral origin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMed1978

Acetylcholinesterase decrease in the optic lobe after unilateral eye deprivation.

Unilateral eye enucleation in a teleost and a turtle results in progressive AChE decrease in the optic lobe controlateral to the extirpated eye. The final difference reaches 15% in teleost and more than 20% in turtle. No drastic differences in localization, but a rearrangement of histochemical pattern, due to the degeneration of retinal fibres, is noticed.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed1978

pH controlled diazo coupling of aldolase. Selective formation of diazothioether chromophores and retention of enzyme activity.

pH Conditions have been found which achieve selective reaction of diazotized p-amino benzoate with cysteine residues of rabbit muscle aldolase. The difference in reactivity of the two sulphydryl groups involved, (Cys--237 and Cys--287) permits one to form either four or eight diazothioethers on the tetrameric enzyme and obtain a homogeneous protein. In both cases the enzyme became slightly more active in the fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate cleavage, the KM value being retained. The results have been discussed with regard to chemically modifying an enzyme to change its physical, chemical and immunological properties, whilst leaving the catalytical activity unmodified.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Cystic mesothelioma of the peritoneum: a clinical case report].

A case of cystic mesothelioma of the peritoneum, presenting as acute appendicitis is reported. The authors stress the difficulty of a correct preoperative diagnosis of this rare tumor, which however, may be considered benign, with a good long-term prognosis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[A rare case of a giant intra-abdominal mesocolic liposarcoma].

Intra-abdominal liposarcomas (IALS) represent a rare localization compared to other liposarcomatous (LS) sites such as the lower extremities and the retroperitoneum. The authors report their experience in a case of giant liposarcoma (weight: Kg 8.2) presenting a massive intra-abdominal extension. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems related to this type of neoplasm as well as a literature review are reported.

Aged↗