[Anatomo-clinical investigations on 100 parkinsonian patients examined by CAT (author's transl)].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
A Paggi
Publications and source records attributed to A Paggi.
[Bromocriptine in Parkinsonian syndromes. Results obtained in a group of patients treated for 8 months].
Antiparkinsonian treatment with L-Dopa gives rise to a number of problems: I) lack of initial response in a few cases; II) side-effects; III) becoming less effective after the first few years of treatment. Consequently, various drugs have been tried to replace, or combine with, L-Dopa. Among those drugs bromocriptine has been described the most effective. Twelve patients suffering from severe parkinsonism, all being intolerant to L-Dopa, have been treated with Bromocriptine. They fell into stage V of the Hoehn and Yahr's scale after 8 days of complete withdrawal of therapy with L-Dopa. Benefit and side-effects have been assessed as follows: a) L-Dopa alone; b) bromocriptine alone; c) combination of a and b. A daily dose of 30 mg of bromocriptine was given for 4 months. This was then reduced to 15 mg with the addition of L-Dopa for another 4 months. The results were: I) bromocriptine scored higher in all patients except one; II) bromocriptine has been consistently less effective than L-Dopa; III) side-effects were similar to those of L-Dopa but less frequent; IV) the combined effect of the two drugs was superior to each drug given alone.
Aged↗
[CD5 positive b-lymphocytes in autoimmunity: possible role in Graves' disease].
CD5+B cells, recently defined B-1a cells, are the main clonotype in the early B cell repertoire and persist throughout adult life. This subset is committed to the production of antibodies, defined "natural antibodies", that bind a lot of exogenous antigens, isologous and heterologous serum proteins, tissues and/or self antigens, such as hormones, nucleic acids and phospholipids. These antibodies, mostly IgM, but also IgG and IgA, are polyreactive: their role is likely that of first line of defence against invading microorganisms. Natural antibodies produced by CD5+ B cells may be involved in maintenance functions such as removal of dead cells. Because of their ability to bind self antigens, they may be important in the establishment of autoimmune phenomena. An increase of CD5+ B cells has been demonstrated in some autoimmune disorders. The authors examine the functional characteristics and the expansion of this subset in different diseases. In particular they report the increase in active Graves' disease and discuss the role of CD5+ B lymphocytes in the immune imbalance present in this thyropathy.
Autoimmune Diseases↗
[Dilated myocardiopathy and polymyositis. A clinical case and critical review of the literature].
A patient affected by a "limb-girdl syndrome" type of polymyositis shows clinical symptoms and signs of progressively worsening dilatative myocardiopathy. The diagnosis was based on well established criteria, such as the following: EF < 45-55%, left ventricular telediastolic diameter higher than 2.7 cm/mq, and normal wall thickness (L. Mestroni 1994, W.H. Abelmann 1989, et al.). The above-mentioned clinical picture was further complicated by amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis. After the case presentation, and having exhaustively and critically revised the existing literature on polymyositis associated dilatative myocardiopathy and on eventual joint pathogenetic mechanisms, the essay in question focuses on the discussion of the clinical data brought forth in the first part.
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗
Methimazole treatment in Graves' disease: behaviour of CD5+B lymphocytes and regulatory T cell subsets.
In the present study we analyzed some circulating lymphocyte subsets in eleven patients affected by Graves' disease before and after three and six months of methimazole treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were studied by a panel of monoclonal antibodies with single and double fluorescence cytometric analysis. Our results demonstrated an increased percentage of CD5+B cells and HLADR+T lymphocytes at the beginning of the disease in comparison to the normal controls (p < 0.001), and a significant decrease after six months of treatment (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). The CD4+ CD45RA+ subset was significantly reduced in untreated Graves' patients in comparison to the normal group (p < 0.01), and increased towards normalization after six months of treatment. The significant modifications of lymphocyte subsets, as well as the reduction of thyroid autoantibodies, support a direct or mediated effect of methimazole on the immune system.
Antithyroid Agents↗