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Biomedical subjects

A Longo

Publications and source records attributed to A Longo.

179 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Vitamin E and experimental caries in rats fed a cariogenic diet and zinc].

A cariogenic diet with zinc and vitamin E administered to rats for 90 days led to a reduction in caries of 21.87% by comparison with animals fed with the cariogenic diet only, and 3.12% by comparison with those that received the diet plus zinc. Although the details of the mechanism of action of vitamin E are not fully known, it is felt that its demonstrated cariostatic effect depends on its antioxidant activity and its protection of the sulphydryl groups of some enzyme system, together with its direct intervention in cell respiration. Since both vitamin E and zinc activate NAD-dependent LDH, their simultaneous administration enhances their individual cariostatic effects by bringing about a lower accumulation of lactic acid in the bacterial plaque.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effects of zinc and vitamin B 6 in experimental caries in rats].

The behaviour of caries has been studied in rats kept on a cariogenic diet enriched with zinc and vit. B6. A reduction of 16.7% in caries was observed compared to control animals fed with the cariogenic diet alone. Compared to the controls, the animals treated with Ershoff diet and zinc presented a decrease of 18.76%. The weight increase curves of the three lots of rats appeared similar. The basic role played by pyridoxal phosphate in all metabolism is recalled and the cariostatic action exerted by vit. B6 on the optimal function of two pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent systems transaminase and enzymes engaged on the synthesis of acetyl-CoA, reported. Both reduce the acid complement deriving from bacterial plaque fermentation, transaminase by deviating pyruvic acid from glycolysis to protein metabolism, acetyl-CoA synthesis by triggering Krebs cycle oxidative decarboxylation.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Surgical treatment of perforated diverticulitis of the colon].

An appraisal is made of the methods adopted by surgeons from different schools in the surgical management of perforated diverticulitis of the colon. For this purpose, an examination is made of 27 cases treated over the course of 5 years at the First-Aid Section of the Genoa General Hospital. While approval is expressed of an eclectic approach to individual cases in the light of the patient's condition, it is felt that the long-established tactic of exteriorisation and resection according to Mikulicz is still perfectly sound.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modifications of erythropoiesis in myelodysplastic syndromes treated with recombinant erythropoietin as evaluated by soluble transferrin receptor, high fluorescence reticulocytes and hypochromic erythrocytes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in erythropoiesis induced in vivo by recombinant erythropoietin (r-EPO) treatment in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), by means of some new, non invasive laboratory parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum levels of soluble transferrin receptor (STR), a marker of total marrow erythroid activity, and automated detection of high fluorescence reticulocytes (HFR) and hypochromic erythrocytes (HE) (respectively, indexes of effective erythropoiesis and functional iron deficiency) were longitudinally measured in 25 MDS patients treated with r-EPO, and then correlated with conventional clinical and laboratory features. RESULTS: Stimulation of erythropoiesis was documented in 8 patients, whose serum STR levels showed a significant, early (within 16 days) increase during treatment with r-EPO. However, only 3 of these patients demonstrated a concomitant rise in HFR, and these were the only subjects who experienced a significant clinical response. Two of these patients also developed a functional iron deficiency while on treatment, as documented by an increase in HE, despite normal serum iron, transferrin saturation and even very high levels of ferritin. They needed iron supplementation to maintain the response to r-EPO. No variation in STR, HFR or HE occurred in the remaining 17 unresponsive patients during at least two months of treatment. Serum levels of thymidine kinase, as aspecific marker of cellular proliferative activity, paralleled those of STR. No correlation was found between STR, HFR or HE and serum levels of endogenous EPO, hemoglobin or transfusion requirements in MDS patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that there is a heterogeneous and complex pattern of erythroid response in MDS patients treated with r-EPO. In addition, our results indicate that STR, HFR and HE may provide useful information for the clinical management of these patients.

Adolescent↗