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Biomedical subjects

A Pugliese

Publications and source records attributed to A Pugliese.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Effects of long-term zidovudine treatment on cell-mediated immune response and lymphokine production.

The effects of long-term zidovudine treatment on functional parameters of cell-mediated immunity were investigated in 15 symptomatic HIV-antibody-positive patients with clinical evidence of opportunistic infections. Mononuclear leukocytes were obtained before administering the drug, and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. The cells were stimulated with lectins in order to assess variations of mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and production of gamma-interferon (IFN) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), and with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) to assess variations of alpha-IFN production. Mean proliferative responses to PHA and Con-A did not show any significant change between baseline, 3 months, and 6 months values (25,158 +/- 11,763, 24,662 +/- 8,955, and 34,924 +/- 16,283 D-cpm, respectively, for PHA, p greater than 0.05; and 5,470 +/- 1,890, 4,953 +/- 2,518, and 4,539 +/- 3,286 D-cpm, respectively, for Con-A, p less than 0.05). Mean response to PWM (9,707 +/- 4,429 D-cpm at entry) increased significantly after 3 months, but returned to baseline values at 6 months (17,039 +/- 5,123 and 10,314 +/- 3,855 D-cpm, respectively, p = 0.016). IL-2 production (5.51 +/- 4.0 I.U. at entry) rose particularly at 3 months and persisted at the same levels at 6 months (9.6 +/- 4.8 and 9.5 +/- 6 I.U., respectively, p less than 0.05). By contrast, a moderate but significant decrease in gamma- and alpha-IFN production was observed (65 +/- 2.2, 35.1 +/- 1.6, and 22 +/- 2 I.U., respectively, for gamma-IFN, p less than 0.05; 60 +/- 3, 64 +/- 2.6, and 12 +/- 1.5 I.U., respectively for alpha-IFN, p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

[The treatment of bacterial infections of the lower respiratory tract in childhood. An open comparative study of sulbactam/ampicillin vs. ceftazidime].

Sixty children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections have been included into this study, respectively 30 (18 M + 12 F) in the sulbactam/ampicillin (S/A) group and 30 (20 M + 10 F) in the ceftazidime (CFT) group. Average age was 42.9 months +/- 34.4 in S/A group (range 6-120) and 48.7 +/- 42.1 (range 6-144) in CFT group. Both groups were similar as to sex, age, type and duration of the infection. Posology was 150 mg/kg/die for S/A and 50 mg/kg/die for CFT. The duration of treatment was 7.2 days +/- 2.2 (range 5-12) for S/A group and 6.4 days +/- 1.6 (range 5-12) for CFT group. At the end of the therapy clinical recovery has been obtained in all cases. A rapid defervescence and remission of symptoms at an identical rate has been recorded in both treatment groups. General and local tolerability was excellent in both treatment groups.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

Population models for diseases with no recovery.

An S----I epidemic model with a general shape of density-dependent mortality and incidence rate is studied. The asymptotic behaviour is global convergence to an endemic equilibrium, above a threshold, and to a disease-free equilibrium, below the threshold. The effect of vaccination is then examined.

Epidemiology↗
PubMed1990

The influence of high dose intravenous immunoglobulins on immunological and metabolic pattern in newly diagnosed type I diabetic patients.

In autoimmune disease the functional deficiency of T suppressor cells, also described in Type I diabetes, may be restored through immunoglobulin (Ig) infusion, which increases antigen phagocytosis, NK activity, cell clones and antibody anti-idiotype responses. Sixteen Type I diabetic patients were studied: eight were treated soon after the initial correction of disease-onset glycemic deterioration with intensive intravenous (i.v.) 7S Ig treatment (0.4 g/kg/BW) for 1 week and once per week for 6 months, whilst the remaining patients constituted the control group. All patients were evaluated during the study for metabolic and immunological parameters. A reduction in insulin requirement compared to conventionally treated patients was observed at the third (0.17 +/- 0.06 vs 0.44 +/- 0.08 IU/kg/BW; P less than 0.02) and at the sixth month of therapy (0.19 +/- 0.07 vs 0.54 +/- 0.07 IU/kg/BW; P less than 0.005). Two patients ceased to require insulin therapy within the BW; P less than 0.005). Two patients ceased to require insulin therapy within the first month, showing a prolonged restoration of B-cell function. Serum C-peptide values were also significantly higher in the Ig-treated group compared to the control group after 3 and 6 months. As regards immunological parameters, patients showed a decrease in insulin antibody levels and a reduction in TAC+ cells. Intravenous Ig therapy seems able to affect positively the first phases of metabolic and immunological deterioration of Type I diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Early administration of an immunomodulator and induction of remission in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

A clinical trial was undertaken to determine whether intensive thymopentin administration enhances remission of insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) during the first year after diagnosis. Dosage with insulin was minimized with target control of blood glucose levels less than or equal to 7.8 mmol/l before meals. Remission was defined as a prolonged period after IDDM onset (not less than 3 months) characterized by a non-insulin-receiving (NIR) state in which target metabolic control was reached without administration of insulin and with a valid C-peptide response, evaluated after standard breakfast. Sixteen IDDM patients aged 12-31 years, recruited within 2 weeks of initiation of insulin therapy and within 5 weeks of onset of symptoms, were treated with intravenous (i.v.) thymopoietin32-36 pentapeptide (Thy) (1 mg/kg/body weight) for 7 days and twice per week for up to 3 months. A control IDDM group without initial significant differences in metabolic control parameters was also studied. No difference was observed between the two IDDM groups regarding the after-diagnosis normalization curve of HbA1c; mean daily glycemic level rates and ICA titer decreased during the observation. A reduction in anti-insulin antibodies (AIA) in Thy-treated patients was observed in comparison to conventionally treated IDDM starting from 6 months and reaching a reduction peak at 1 year (P less than or equal to 0.02). As regards the NIR remission rate, it was significantly more accelerated in Thy-treated patients, reaching 43% at 6 months and 57% at 1 year vs 12% and 6.7% respectively in the control IDDM group (P range less than or equal to 0.05-0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Effects of ofloxacin on cell-mediated immune response and lymphokine production.

The effects of orally administered ofloxacin on functional parameters of cell-mediated immunity were investigated in 15 patients with respiratory or urinary tract infections. Mononuclear leucocytes were obtained before administering the drug, 1 h after the first dose, and five days later. The cells were stimulated with lectins, tetanus toxoid and Newcastle Disease virus in order to assess mitogen- and antigen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and production of gamma-interferon, interleukin-2 and alpha-interferon. An increase in proliferative response to pokeweed mitogen and a slight but significant decrease in alpha-interferon production were observed, while other parameters remained unaffected by treatment.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1990

Chemotactic activity of pertussis toxin on murine lymphocytes. Its potential role on lymphocyte accumulation in the lung.

The effects of pertussis toxin on lymphocyte migration were studied in vitro. In this study pertussis toxin significantly stimulated lymphocyte migration at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 microgram ml-1 using a microchamber and the leading-front method. Checkerboard analysis demonstrated that pertussis toxin causes directed migration of lymphocytes (chemotaxis). Heat-treatment pertussis toxin abolished its capacity to cause this migration. When murine lymphocytes were preincubated with different concentrations of pertussis toxin, an inhibition of chemotaxis at the dosages of 0.1 and 1 microgram ml-1 was observed. On the other hand, lymphocytes derived from mice treated with pertussis toxin were not inhibited after subsequent exposure to pertussis toxin in vitro. Since lymphocyte accumulation in the lungs of mice treated with pertussis toxin has been well demonstrated, the results of our study could suggest a chemotactic activity of pertussis toxin in determining accumulation of lymphocytes in this organ.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of recombinant human interleukin-1 beta on accumulation of inflammatory peritoneal macrophages in mice treated with pertussis toxin.

In this study we report that treatment with recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (rIL-1 beta) (10 U per mouse, intraperitoneally) significantly increased the number of inflammatory macrophages in the peritoneal cavity of mice treated with pertussis toxin (PT) (1 micrograms per mouse, intravenously). The administration of rIL-1 beta in a single intraperitoneal dose (10 U per mouse) 1 or 2 days before challenge with PT did not prevent the decrease in the number of inflammatory macrophages in the peritoneal cavity of mice. On the other hand, the simultaneous administration of rIL-1 beta and PT, as well as the administration of rIL-1 beta 24 h after injection of PT, significantly counteracted the inhibitory effect of PT on inflammatory peritoneal macrophages.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Biological properties of an alcoholic extract of Aspergillus terreus].

The following effects of Aspergillus terreus alcoholic extract are investigated: antiblastic and antiviral effect, and the ability of modification of interferon production and lymphocyte blastic transformation. In particular the extract showed more evident antiproliferative effect on transformed or EBV immortalised cells and lower effect on normal cells. Moreover doses from 12.5 +/- micrograms/ml depressed significatively the in vitro interferon production and lymphocyte blastic transformation induced by PHA on human cells. Mengo and Semliki Forest viruses replication was reduced, although temporarily, in the presence of 50 +/- micrograms/ml of the extract. Eventually the study of some fractions separated on chromatographic column demonstrated the contemporary presence of fractions able to inhibit or stimulate K-562 erythroleukemic cells replication.

Alcohols↗
PubMed1990

Serum reactivity against RINm5F purified membrane antigens (ICMA) in newly diagnosed diabetic subjects.

A simple and rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of islet cell membrane antibodies (ICMA) in the sera of IDDM has been recently established. This new method has been made possible by using affinity purified islet cell membrane antigens from a monoclonal insulin secreting cell line obtained from a transplantable rat insulinoma (RINm5F). One hundred and thirty-three sera of newly diagnosed diabetic patients (duration of symptoms of less than 3 months) were tested, and ICMA positivity was found in 21% of patients. In the same group we found 64% ICA positive subjects, but no correlation has been found between ICA and ICMA. Therefore these two auto-antibodies should be considered as expression of different steps of the autoimmune beta-cell damage. In this light ICMA could represent a very early marker of autoimmune process and it could be useful to recognize, among risk subjects, those who are developing IDDM.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Polarization and capping of lymphocytes in HIV infection.

The present study was undertaken to assess the locomotor capacity of lymphocytes from patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by a polarization assay. In addition, the capping phenomenon of lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients or in vitro preincubation of lymphocytes with HIV-envelope glycoproteins, gp41 and gp120 was evaluated. A significant decrease in polarized lymphocytes from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was observed. On the other hand, the capping phenomenon either of lymphocytes from AIDS patients or of lymphocytes from healthy donors preincubated with gp41 and gp120 was reduced but not significantly.

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte↗
PubMed1989

Effects of pertussis toxin and indomethacin on murine lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids.

The total number of lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids significantly increased in mice injected intravenously with pertussis toxin (PT), while the absolute number of alveolar macrophages markedly decreased. This finding probably reflects the lymphocyte accumulation in interstitial spaces as we previously observed in mice injected with PT. In addition, indomethacin, at lower dosage (0.5 mg/kg) prevented peripheral lymphocytosis and lymphocyte accumulation in the alveolar spaces of the lungs of mice injected with PT. These results provide evidence that PT is responsible for lymphocyte accumulation together with a marked decrease of alveolar macrophages in the lungs of treated mice; moreover, indomethacin is effective in preventing bronchoalveolar changes caused by PT.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Cyclic AMP levels in lung and spleen tissue of mice treated with pertussis toxin.

The effects of pertussis toxin (PT) on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) metabolism in lung and spleen tissue of mice were studied. We observed a marked lymphocyte accumulation and concomitant weight increase in the lungs of mice treated with PT. On the contrary, a rapid lymphocyte depletion was observed in the spleens of PT-treated mice. The effects of PT on cAMP metabolism were partially evident in the lungs where early increased levels of cAMP were observed. On the other hand, decreased levels of cAMP in spleen tissues were observed at the time of maximum lymphocyte depletion of such organ.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Inhibition of pancreatic beta-cell secretion during a "glucose-clamp" in subjects with acanthosis nigricans].

It has long been known that acanthosis nigricans is accompanied by insulin resistance. In certain insulin-resistant states, including obesity, a more sluggish response to the insulin/insulin inhibition feedback normally present in pancreatic beta cells has been documented. Some have claimed a sort of beta-cell insulin resistance "parallel" to that of the peripheral tissues. The present study assesses the efficiency of the insulin/insulin feedback in acanthosis nigricans patients, measuring the inhibition of the production of C-peptide (the indicator of beta cell secretion) induced by the administration of exogenous insulin during glucose clamping. This was done in order to compare the roles of the peripheral tissues and the beta cells in producing the insulin resistance typical of acanthosis nigricans. The study using the glucose-insulin clamp technique was conducted on 4 Acanthosis Nigricans patients with normal glucose tolerance and 4 healthy controls, the drop in C-peptide levels after the administration of exogenous insulin being assessed in the course of both steady states. The results showed that the acanthosis nigricans patients retained a beta cell response to the exogenous insulin through their peripheral tissues presented a reduced sensitivity to insulin as revealed by the glucose-insulin clamp. It therefore seems reasonable to attribute the endocrine metabolic alteration found in Acanthosis Nigricans to a peripheral receptor and/or post receptor alteration rather than central alterations in the beta cells that have yet to be demonstrated. It is concluded that in acanthosis nigricans the peripheral insulin resistance is primarily independent phenomenon and not "parallel" to insulin/insulin feedback.

Acanthosis Nigricans↗
PubMed1988

Enhancement of methotrexate cytotoxicity by modulation of proliferative activity in normal and neoplastic T lymphocytes and in a myeloid leukemia cell line.

Recent advances in the modulation of cell kinetics with growth factors suggest that the effect of cycle-specific cytostatic drugs can be enhanced by combination with such factors. The truth of this hypothesis was investigated by studying the effect of phytohemagglutinin and/or interleukin 2 on the sensitivity to methotrexate (MTX) of normal T lymphocytes and of lymphoblasts of a patient with acute T-cell lymphoid leukemia. In both cases, inhibition of proliferation by MTX was increased from less than 30% in resting cells or those suboptimally stimulated, in the case of leukemic blasts, to 68-83% in maximally stimulated cells. Similar results were observed when the AML 193 human myeloid leukemia line was stimulated with human recombinant granulocyte macrophage colony stimulation factor (GM-CSF). Under basal proliferation conditions, the addition of 1 microgram/ml and 10 micrograms/ml MTX was followed by 48% and 72% inhibition respectively. When 1 ng/ml GM-CSF (40 I.U./ml) was present, these figures rose to 89% and 91%. It is thus clear that growth factor-induced cell proliferation increases sensitivity to cycle-specific cytostatic agents. There is thus a biological premise for new perspectives in antineoplastic therapy.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1988

Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in mice treated with pertussis toxin and betamethasone.

Effects of pertussis toxin (PT) and betamethasone on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in mice were studied. When mice received PT (1 microgram/mouse) at the time of immunization or elicitation, a depression of DTH responses was observed. In addition, when mice received PT five days before and at the time of immunization, the DTH responses were suppressed. The administration of betamethasone along with PT at the time of immunization and elicitation caused an inhibition of DTH responses. These results suggest that PT depressed the DTH responses and that betamethasone suppressed such responses. Based on these findings, possible mechanisms by which PT and betamethasone affect DTH are discussed.

Animals↗