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Biomedical subjects

A Cuomo

Publications and source records attributed to A Cuomo.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of plasma alpha-glutathione-S-transferases in chronic alcohol abusers: relationship with alcohol intake and liver involvement.

UNLABELLED: Alpha-gluthathione-S-transferases (alpha-GSTs) are enzymes involved in the cellular detoxifying processes; elevated circulating alpha-GSTs activity is considered to be an early index of liver damage. Glutathione (GSH) is the substrate for alpha-GST action. THE AIMS OF OUR STUDY WERE: (1) to evaluate plasma GSH levels and alpha-GST activity in chronic alcohol abusers with or without liver cirrhosis; (2) to define the relationship between these two biochemical parameters; (3) to establish their clinical relevance in patients with alcohol abuse and/or liver damage. We studied 69 subjects (18 healthy subjects and 51 chronic alcohol abusers: 29 without liver cirrhosis and 22 with). Plasma alpha-GST activity was determined on baseline samples and every following day for a total of 10 days in five alcoholics by HEPKIT (Alpha-Biotech, Biotrin International, Dublin, Ireland). GSH was determined on all subjects' baseline samples by fluorescent high-performance liquid chromatography. Alcohol intake was evaluated in all patients by determining blood-alcohol concentrations. Significant increases in plasma alpha-GSTs were observed in 9/29 (31%) alcoholics and 3/22 (13.6%) cirrhotics irrespective of their alcohol intake. GSH was significantly lower than normal values (P < 0.001) in all alcoholics with or without cirrhosis (controls 10.4 +/- 4.8; alcoholics without cirrhosis 3.9 +/- 1.4; alcoholics with cirrhosis 3.3 +/- 1.6). No correlation was observed between plasma alpha-GST and GSH levels. Our data indicate that: (1) alpha-GST activity does not correlate with GSH levels in the plasma; (2) alpha-GSTs do not have clinical relevance as markers of recent alcohol intake; (3) in cirrhotics, alpha-GST does not provide more information than other liver function tests. However, plasma alpha-GST determination may be useful in selecting a subgroup of alcoholics in whom routine biochemical markers of liver damage are within reference ranges.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical toxicity of cryopreserved circulating progenitor cells infusion.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the infusion-related toxicity of cryopreserved autologous circulating progenitor cells transplanted in 22 patients receiving high dose chemotherapy and stem cells transplantation for malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Progenitor cells were collected following mobilization with chemotherapy plus filgrastim and stored in liquid nitrogen in the presence of 10% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Before infusion of the graft, patients were medicated with mannitol, hydrocortisone and clorphenamine. The amount of DMSO infused as well as the number of dead and damaged cells were evaluated as possible cause of toxicity. RESULTS: Eleven patients (50%) experienced symptoms related to graft infusion, nausea and vomiting being the most common adverse events. Hypotension was documented in 3 patients (one of them developing transient bradycardia resolved with atropin administration) and one had hypertension with tachycardia. Other observed side effects were: chest tightness (2 pts), fever and chills (3 pts), associated with abdominal cramps (2 pts). 7 out of 8 (88%) patients infused with greater than 30 mL volume of DMSO experienced side-effects, the grade of toxicity being significantly less in those receiving lower amount (< 30 mL) of DMSO. Two out of 4 pts who received the highest number of dead cells (> 10 x 10(9)) developed toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience the infusion of cryopreserved peripheral blood progenitors caused minor to moderate toxicity in most cases and, when present, side effects were observed only during infusion. The amount of DMSO present in the graft is related to the grade of toxicity.

Adult↗