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Biomedical subjects

A Longo

Publications and source records attributed to A Longo.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of 5-HT1A receptor antagonists on citalopram-induced increase in extracellular serotonin in the frontal cortex, striatum and dorsal hippocampus.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of citalopram, either alone or combined with 5-HT1A receptor antagonists, on extracellular serotonin levels in brain regions innervated by the dorsal or median raphe nuclei. Using intracerebral microdialysis in awake rats with separate probes in the frontal cortex or dorsal hippocampus, we studied the ability of 8 mg/kg s.c. (-)penbutolol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with antagonist action at 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors, and 0.3 mg/kg s.c. WAY-100635, a selective 5-HT1A receptor blocker, to modify the effect of 1 and 10 mg/kg i.p. citalopram on extracellular serotonin. Both doses of citalopram had more effect on extracellular serotonin levels in the dorsal hippocampus than in the frontal cortex. The effect of 1 mg/kg citalopram was significantly potentiated by (-)penbutolol in the frontal cortex only, but a clear-cut potentiation of the effect of citalopram was seen in both regions at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The effect of 10 mg/kg citalopram was potentiated by WAY-100635 in the frontal cortex but not in the dorsal hippocampus. In a second set of experiments, the combined effect of WAY-100635 and citalopram was studied in the same rat implanted with vertical probes in the striatum and dorsal hippocampus. Citalopram (1 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) raised extracellular serotonin to a similar extent in both regions. However, 0.3 mg/kg s.c. WAY-100635 potentiated the effect of 10 mg/kg citalopram in the striatum but not in the dorsal hippocampus. The results suggest that only a combined blockade of 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors potentiates the effect of citalopram on extracellular concentrations of serotonin in the dorsal hippocampus. The findings may be relevant in designing clinical trials aimed at enhancing the antidepressant action of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors by combining them with serotonin receptor antagonists.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Association between GM3 and CD4-Ick complex in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

The aim of this study was to further elucidate our previous observation on molecular interaction of GM3, CD4 and p56Ick in microdomains of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). We analyzed GM3 distribution by immunoelectron microscopy and the association between GM3 and CD4-p56Ick complex by scanning confocal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Scanning confocal microscopy analysis showed an uneven signal distribution of GM3 molecules over the surface of human lymphocytes. Nearly complete colocalization areas indicated that CD4 molecules were distributed in GM3-enriched plasma membrane domains. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that CD4 and p56Ick were immunoprecipitated by IgG anti-GM3, demonstrating that GM3 tightly binds to the CD4-p56Ick complex in human PBL. In order to verify whether GM3 association with CD4 molecules may depend on the presence of p56Ick, we analyzed this association in U937, a CD4 + and p56Ick negative cell line. The immunoprecipitation with anti-GM3 revealed the presence of a 58kDa band immunostained with anti-CD4 Ab, suggesting that the GM3-CD4 interaction does not require its association with p56Ick. These findings support the view that GM3 enriched-domains may represent a functional multimolecular complex involved in signal transduction and cell activation.

CD4 Antigens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Loss of polymorphic restriction fragments of class I and class II MHC genes in a malignant melanoma.

DNAs from human malignant melanoma cells and autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated by Southern blot analysis with probes for class I and II HLA genes. DNA of melanoma cells digested with PvuII, EcoRI and BglI and hybridized with a DR beta probe showed a loss of several fragments when compared with DNA from lymphocytes. The same DNAs were not distinguishable when hybridized with a DQ beta probe. Analysis of melanoma and autologous lymphocyte DNAs from the same patient with a class I cDNA, after digestion with several endonucleases, revealed a further loss of fragments in melanoma cells. Comparison of restriction fragment patterns of melanoma and lymphocytes with those of homozygous, serologically-typed cell lines indicated that melanoma cells have lost fragments diagnostic of DR2 and A1 antigens. A densitometric analysis of signals of several oncogenes in comparison with that of DR indicated that a duplication of the remaining DR allele had occurred in melanoma cells.

DNA, Neoplasm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vivo and in vitro macrophage activation induced by IFN gamma spontaneously released by spleen cells from tumor bearing mice.

Peritoneal macrophages obtained from Lewis Lung carcinoma (3LL) tumor bearing mice release high amounts of soluble factors such as C3,H2O2 and lysosomal enzymes but fail to exert cytotoxic activity on tumor cells. In the present work we show that they acquire this property and become fully activated after in vitro incubation with supernatants derived from cultures of splenocytes from tumor bearing syngeneic mice. The presence of IFN gamma in the above supernatants was detected by immunoblotting analysis and by bioassay. The role played by IFN gamma in macrophage activation was investigated.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The surgical treatment of malignant neoplasms of the pancreas: resection or palliative intervention?].

The authors retrospectively evaluate their 10-year experience in the surgical management of pancreatic cancer, and analyze their results in terms of morbidity and long-term survival. The comparison between curative and palliative surgery shows, in this series, a better long-term survival and a better performance status for the patients in the curative group, although postoperative morbidity and mortality are higher. The difficulty of an early diagnosis as well as a correct preoperative staging is confirmed. Finally, the authors propose a personal, totally mechanic technique of digestive tract restoration after gastric resection during pancreatic surgery underlining this procedure is easy, safe, fast and functional.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Role of beta-blockers in the pharmacologic treatment of congestive heart failure].

Beta-blockers are generally considered contra-indicated in heart failure. Some authors have claimed that in dilated cardiomyopathy and in pos myocardial infarction patients with heart failure beta-blockers can improve symptoms and survival. These trials and their conclusions are revised and the rationals of pathologic physiology of heart failure for this treatment are discussed.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗