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Biomedical subjects

A Corsonello

Publications and source records attributed to A Corsonello.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
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

[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↗
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↗
PubMed1997

Reduced plasma concentrations of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Transforming Growth Factor beta1, (TGF-beta1) plasma concentrations and the possible relationship between this growth factor and various hormones in obese women. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Outpatient's Service for the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity at the University Hospital. SUBJECTS: Twenty-five women with mild to moderate obesity, and 15 non-obese healthy women were used as controls. MEASUREMENTS: Evaluation of TGF-beta1, insulin, prolactin, sex-hormone binding globulin, androstenedione, free triiodothyronine, free tetraiodothyronine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, testosterone, insulin-like growth factor 1, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone plasma concentrations in obese women. Blood samples were taken from fasting subjects for the determination of the above parameters. RESULTS: In obese women plasma TGF-beta1 concentrations were lower than in controls. The obese subjects also had lower GH, IGF-1 and SHBG plasma concentrations and increased insulinaemia. A positive correlation was found between TGF-beta1 and both IGF-1 (r = 0.52; P < 0.01) and DHEA-S (r = 0.43; P < 0.05), while a negative correlation was found between TGF-beta1 and SHBG (r = -0.49; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in TGF-beta1, an antilipogenic factor, may play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity and could be involved in the development of some obesity-related endocrine alterations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Altered platelet magnesium and plasma and urinary soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecule I (sICAM-1) concentrations in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients with microalbuminuria.

Magnesium concentrations in plasma, erythrocyte and platelet, and plasma and urine levels of the soluble form of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were evaluated in subjects with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with or without microalbuminuria, and in a control group of healthy subjects. Using a recently introduced technique, we found that magnesium concentrations in platelets in diabetic subjects with microalbuminuria were lower than in diabetics with normal albuminuria (1.859 +/- 0.47 vs 2.065 +/- 0.62 mumol/10(8) cells; P < 0.05). Moreover, IDDM subjects had higher plasma sICAM-1 levels than control subjects; no difference, however, was found between sICAM-1 concentrations in the two groups of diabetics. An inverse correlation was found between intraplatelet magnesium and plasma sICAM-1 levels (r = - 0.64; P < 0.05) in the diabetics with microalbuminuria. It is concluded that the reduced intraplatelet magnesium content may contribute to the progression of the vascular complications in IDDM subjects with microalbuminuria.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum ionized magnesium levels in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria or clinical proteinuria.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The association between microalbuminuria and magnesium depletion is a controversial issue, and serum ionized magnesium levels have not been previously studied in patients with different grades of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate circulating ionized magnesium concentrations in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and incipient or overt diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: We measured fasting plasma glucose, creatinine, creatinine clearance estimate, total cholesterol and triglycerides, and serum ionized magnesium (ion-selective electrodes, ISE) in 30 NIDDM patients with urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) <20 microg/min (normoalbuminuria), 30 NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria (20 < UAER < 200 microg/min), 30 NIDDM patients with clinical proteinuria (UAER >200 microg/min), and 20 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Serum ionized magnesium levels were significantly reduced in diabetic patients when compared to control subjects (0.39 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.58 +/- 0.05 mmol/l, p < 0.001). Moreover, diabetic patients with microalbuminuria or clinical proteinuria showed a significant decrease in serum ionized magnesium with respect to normoalbuminuria group (normoalbuminuria: 0.45 +/- 0. 02 mmol/l; microalbuminuria: 0.36 +/- 0.05 mmol/l, p < 0.001; clinical proteinuria: 0.35 +/- 0.04 mmol/l, p < 0.001). Serum ionized magnesium showed a significant negative correlation with plasma HbA1c and triglycerides in both microalbuminuria and clinical proteinuria groups. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that circulating ionized magnesium levels decrease together with the increase of plasma HbA1c and triglycerides in NIDDM patients with incipient or overt nephropathy, also after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, diabetes duration, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hypoglycemic therapy, plasma creatinine, creatinine clearance, plasma cholesterol and fasting glucose. CONCLUSIONS: Microalbuminuria and clinical proteinuria, as well as poor glycometabolic control and hypertriglyceridemia, are associated to relevant alterations in magnesium metabolism, and the measurement of serum ionized magnesium seems to represent a useful biochemical tool for the study of magnesium disturbances in patients with different grades of diabetic nephropathy.

Albuminuria↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma leptin concentrations in relation to sick euthyroid syndrome in elderly patients with nonthyroidal illnesses.

BACKGROUND: Leptin, the ob gene product, seems to be involved in regulating energy expenditure in humans, but its role in the pathophysiology of the energy imbalance in chronically ill patients is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate plasma leptin concentrations and thyroid function in elderly patients with nonthyroidal illnesses (NTI). METHODS: Sixty-four NTI elderly patients (75.0 +/- 6.3 years, 27 males and 37 females) and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (73.0 +/- 5.5 years, 9 males and 12 females) were enrolled in the study. In all subjects tri-iodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxine (T(4)), reverse T(3) (rT(3)), free T(3) (fT(3)), free T(4) (fT(4)), TSH, and plasma leptin concentrations were measured. Nutritional status was also evaluated in all subjects studied by the measurement of body mass index (BMI), lymphocytes, serum iron, hemoglobin, plasma albumin, transferrin and total cholesterol. RESULTS: The data on thyroid hormones enabled us to identify three groups: group A, subjects (15 patients) with T(3) and fT(3) levels comparable to those of controls; group B, subjects (25 patients) with T(3) and fT(3) levels lower than controls and rT(3) levels comparable to those of controls; group C, subjects (24 patients) with T(3) and fT(3) levels lower than those of controls and high rT(3) levels. The patients of group C showed lower plasma leptin levels than the controls, 6.6 (5.5-14.2) and 16.3 (7.2-23.7) ng/ml (median with interquartile range in parentheses, p < 0.05), respectively. Females also showed higher plasma leptin levels than males in the controls, group A and group B, but not in group C. Moreover, plasma leptin concentrations were directly correlated to BMI in all the groups studied, while a negative correlation between leptin and rT(3) was detectable in group C (r = -0.44, p < 0.05), also after adjusting for BMI and sex. CONCLUSIONS: The concurrence of modifications in plasma leptin and thyroid hormones concentrations found in elderly NTI patients with a sick euthyroid syndrome could reflect a particular neuroendocrine status, leading to a reduction in the catabolic processes in the course of chronic diseases.

Aged↗