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A Polleri

Publications and source records attributed to A Polleri.

76 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Melatonin and cortisol circadian secretion during ethanol withdrawal in chronic alcoholics.

Changes in central neurotransmission and in hypothalamo-pituitary function occur in both ethanol (ETOH) intake and withdrawal. Melatonin (MLT) secretion is regulated by the noradrenergic system, which is activated upon ETOH withdrawal. Experimental evidence exist that pineal gland may have a role in ETOH intake and preference in rats. Twenty-four hour urinary excretion of MLT was found to be increased during ETOH intake in chronic alcoholics. In this study we have determined 24h plasma levels of MLT and cortisol in 8 chronic alcoholic males hospitalized for a detoxication program and in 8 healthy controls. The study was performed just after admission, on the first day of ETOH withdrawal and after 14 days of controlled abstinence. Circadian periodicity has been evaluated by the cosinor method. The initial determinations corresponded to the acute withdrawal phase. Twenty-four hour plasma MLT mean levels on acute withdrawal were higher than after 14 days abstinence and than those found in controls. Large interindividual differences prevented the detection of statistical significance. The cosinor analysis disclosed the loss of circadian periodicity in the acute withdrawal. Significant 24h periodicity was restored after 14 days abstinence. Cortisol levels were significantly higher than those found on day 14 and in healthy controls. Twenty-four hour periodicity was maintained in both alcoholics series. A delay in cortisol acrophase occurred in acute withdrawal. The effects of Corticotropin Releasing Hormone infusion on cortisol secretion were significantly enhanced in the acute withdrawal phase in comparison with those occurring when patients were retested and with healthy controls.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of valproate, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine on sex steroid setup in women with epilepsy.

Serum levels of sex-hormones, sex-hormone binding globulin, gonadotropin, and prolactin were evaluated during the follicular and the luteal phases in 65 women with epilepsy and in 20 healthy controls. Twenty-one patients were treated with sodium valproate (VPA), 21 with phenobarbital (PB), and 23 with carbamazepine (CBZ). VPA does not stimulate liver microsome enzymes, whereas PB and CBZ do. Patients on VPA therapy showed higher body weight and body mass index, but no significant differences in hirsutism score, or in ovary volume or polycystic ovary prevalence (at ultrasound examination). Estradiol levels were lower in all patient groups than in healthy controls in the follicular but not in the luteal phases. VPA affected luteal progesterone surge in 63.6% of cases. This effect was significantly lower in the CBZ and PB groups. Furthermore, increases in testosterone and delta 4-androstenedione levels and in free androgen index, along with a higher luteinizing hormone-follicle-stimulating hormone ratio in the luteal phase, were observed in women treated with VPA. Although sex-hormone binding globulin levels were higher in CBZ and PB than in VPA-treated patients, the differences were not significant because of the wide dispersion of the carrier protein levels. Inducer antiepileptic drugs decreased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels, which remained unchanged during VPA treatment. No significant differences occurred in basal gonadotropin and prolactin levels.

Adolescent↗