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Biomedical subjects

A Satta

Publications and source records attributed to A Satta.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Studies on the nephron segment with reduced sodium reabsorption during starvation natriuresis.

The segment of the nephron where carbohydrate deprivation depresses Na transport leading to natriuresis was sought by a new clearance technique designed to measure segmental reabsorption in each portion of the human renal tubule. Experiments were performed during maximal water diuresis before and 4 days after carbohydrate withdrawal. Proximal reabsorption had fallen from 70 +/- 4 to 60 +/- 5 ml X min-1, p less than 0.05, by the 4th day of sugar deprivation, accounting for the natriuresis and the associated weight loss of 1.8 kg. By the 4th day of fasting, when Na excretion had returned to control levels, GFR had fallen nonsignificantly from 99 +/- 6 to 95 +/- 5 ml X min-1, while Na reabsorption along distal segments had risen. In fact, Na transport, expressed by the equivalent volumes of solute free-water generated, rose from 17.4 +/- 3.4 to 23.6 +/- 2.1 along the ascending limb of Henle's loop, and from 8.1 +/- 0.8 to 9.2 +/- 1.3 ml X min-1 X GFR-1 X 100 along the distal tubule. Thus, analysis of segmental Na transport by this method discloses that starvation natriuresis is a proximal tubular event, progressively counterbalanced by enhanced Na reclamation in more distal sites. Volume contraction and the attendant fall in GFR concur to curb delivery out of the proximal tubule which is matched by enhanced distal Na reabsorption till a new steady-state excretion is attained.

Absorption↗

Taurine and hyperexcitable human muscle: effects of taurine on potassium-induced hyperexcitability of dystrophic myotonic and normal muscles.

Progressively increasing concentrations of potassium chloride in Evans blue saline were administered to patients affected with myotonic dystrophy and to healthy volunteers before and after parenteral treatment with taurine. Excitability changes of thenar eminence muscles were related to the venous potassium and chloride concentrations. The actual electrolyte concentrations were compared to those to be expected if no infused electrolytes had been transported into cells. The expected concentrations were calculated by means of Evans blue dilution. This method permitted quantification of changes of muscle-excitability in terms of the potassium chloride concentration capable of disturbing the electrical activity of the studied muscles. The method also provided an indirect evaluation of electrolyte movements across muscle membrane in vivo in humans. Dystrophic myotonic muscles appeared highly sensitive to extracellular potassium and, unlike normal muscles, were unable to accumulate potassium-induced muscle hyperexcitability and favored electrolyte accumulation in dystrophic myotonic muscles. The stabilizing effect of taurine is discussed in relation to its ability to increase intracellular potassium concentration, membrane conductance, or both.

Adolescent↗

Experimental dissociation of the effects of prostaglandins on renal sodium and water reabsorption by cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors in the rat.

1 The relative importance of the effect of prostaglandins on renal sodium and water reabsorption was assessed in rats. 2 Clearance experiments were performed on 24 anaesthetized rats divided into 3 groups. Each group was infused throughout either with Ringer solution at 9 ml/h (Protocol I), or at 3 ml/h (Protocol II) or with hypotonic fluid at 5 ml/h (Protocol III). Clearance periods were performed before and after intravenous injection of indomethacin (5 mg/kg) and then of aspirin (20 mg/kg). The natriuretic response to different degrees of volume expansion was not modified during the action of the inhibitors. 3 When baseline urine osmolality (Uosm) was high (Protocol II) no further increase occurred in the presence of prostaglandin inhibition. Conversely, Uosm rose from 771 +/- 134 to 1356 +/- 414 and from 575 +/- 245 to 841 +/- 407 mosm/kg (P less than 0.05) in Protocol I and Protocol III respectively, when antidiuretic hormone secretion was inhibited by the higher degree of volume expansion. 4 There was a significant correlation between the change in urine flow rate induced by cyclooxygenase inhibitors and the attendant variations in Na excretion, r = 0.42, n = 41, P less than 0.01. 5 Thus, prostaglandins affect Na loss during saline load as a side effect of their action on water permeability. They could play an important role in volume depletion by counterbalancing the large secretion rate of renal vasoconstrictors.

Absorption↗

Blunting of furosemide diuresis by aspirin in man.

Experiments were performed on humans to study the blunting on the diuretic action of furosemide by prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors. Maximal water diuresis was instituted. At the peak of urine flow, clearance periods were performed during baseline conditions and repeated after the injection of aspirin and, subsequently, of furosemide. Control subjects did not receive aspirin. Urine flow rate (V), Cosm, and Na excretion (UNa) . V were significantly lower when the administration of the diuretic had been preceded by that of aspirin. In the absence of furosemide, however, aspirin did not influence renal hemodynamics nor Na and water reabsorption. Therefore, the same experimental protocol was repeated in paired experiments where each normal subject served as his own control, being studied twice, in the presence and absence of aspirin, respectively. The average changes in water and Na excretion induced by furosemide were not different when the patients were pretreated with aspirin as compared with those measured in the absence of prostaglandin inhibition. Changes occurring in individual experiments were significantly correlated (r = 0.95, P less than 0.01) with those in calculated furosemide clearance. Since aspirin, indomethacin, and meclophenamate are secreted by the organic acid transport system of the proximal tubule, competition for a common secretory mechanism, rather than prostaglandin inhibition, could mediate the blunting of furosemide diuresis.

Aspirin↗

Prolactin secretion in man following acute and long-term cimetidine administration.

In 20 patients with duodenal ulcer we measured serum prolactin levels following acute and long-term cimetidine administration. In addition, in 20 healthy volunteers we studied the effect of pre-treatment with bromocriptine, meterogline, nomifensine and cryroheptadine on cimetidine-induced prolactin release. Intravenous cimetidine stimulated prolactin secretion in patients and in normal subjects. In the latter, bromocroptine and metergoline pre-administration blunted the release of prolactin in response to iv cimetidine whereas nomifensine and cyproheptadine were ineffective. Long-term treatment with cimetidine (1.2 g daily for 3 months) had no effect on prolactin secretion in the 20 patients studied. No incidence of gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea or disorders of the menstual cycle was observed.

Adult↗

Heart block and hyperthyroidism. Report of two cases.

In two patients with hyperthyroidism who had no signs of heart disease, first-degree heart block with tall and large P waves occurred. In one patient, a left bundle-branch block and transient complete heart block with Stokes-Adams episodes also occurred, although there was no verifiable evidence of acute inflammatory disease.

Adams-Stokes Syndrome↗

Oxdralazine, a new peripheral vasodilator, combined with propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide: a rational approach to antihypertensive treatment.

Forty-three patients suffering from hypertension of different origin (chronic renal failure, gout, or idiopathic) were treated with propranolol (121 +/- 12 mg q.d.) plus hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg q.d.) for 75 +/- 9 days. Blood pressure did not return to normal limits in 15 patients, who were continued on the same protocol plus 10 to 50 mg oxdralazine q.d. After an average of 68 +/- 35 days blood pressure fell from 180/110 mm Hg to 145/90 mm Hg without orthostatism, significant side effects, or changes in GFR. This combination seems particularly successful since propranolol will prevent the undesired rise in cardiac output due to oxdralazine as well as the activation of the renin-angiotensin axis due to diuretics. Thus, the antihypertensive properties of each agent will be enhanced by a reduction in side effects by the associated drug, resulting in optimal blood pressure control.

Adult↗

Intracranial volume receptors: possible role on ADH homeostatic control.

Volume receptors are situated in many organs and are capable of modulating ADH secretion. We have evaluated the variation of plasma ADH concentration after an experimentally induced increase of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure (PCSF). The experiment was performed in controlled environmental conditions to avoid pain or stress-related ADH release. In 15 rats (10 experimental, 5 control) a cannula was positioned in the left cerebral ventricle: in the experimental group artificial CSF was infused at a rate of 0.6 (microliter/min for 6h: this manoeuvre, in a separate set of animals obtained an increase from 13.03 +/- 0.8 to 25.4 +/- 2.5 cmH2O of PCSF. The same conditions were reproduced in the control group without infusion into lateral ventricle. At the end of the experiment, plasma ADH had fallen significantly in the experimental group from 18.9 +/- 4.8 to 11.9 +/- 2.3 pg/ml (p < 0.05), while it was not changed in the control group (from 25.5 +/- 13.7 to 23.7 +/- 16.2 pg/ml). Heart rate, arterial pressure, plasma Na+ and osmolality, did not change significantly. Plasma K+ fell significantly in both groups: from 5.5 +/- 0.6 to 4.3 +/- 0.3 (p < 0.05) and from 5.4 +/- 0.7 to 4.3 +/- 0.15 mEq/l (p < 0.05) in the experimental and control group respectively. Plasma creatinine was normal, checked only at the end of the experiment. Our results demonstrate that a relationship exists between PCSF variations and plasma ADH concentration. We believe this relationship is due to the pressure receptors in the cerebral ventricles or in structures connected to it, such as the inner ear, and we hypothesize the existence of a control system of body fluids, more diffused than though to be, up till now.

Animals↗

Muscarinic receptor blockade by pirenzepine: effect on prolactin secretion in man.

The effect of pirenzepine, a muscarinic receptor blocker which does not cross the blood brain barrier, on basal and TRH-stimulated prolactin (PRL) secretion in normal subjects was studied. Administration of 75 mg oral pirenzepine had no effects on prolactin levels in male subjects whereas it significantly reduced prolactin in females. No effect on TRH induced prolactin secretion was observed.

Adult↗

Inner ear pressure changes modify ADH secretion in freely moving guinea pig.

The present study was designed to elucidate the relationship between endolymphatic pressure and plasma ADH levels in conscious guinea pigs. Plasma ADH (pADH) was measured in basal conditions and after having applied positive or negative pressure of 20 cmH2O to the inner ear. The experimental protocol was designed to avoid any interference on ADH release caused by anesthesia and surgical stress. There was no change in blood pressure, heart rate, plasma Na (pNa) and osmolality (pOsm) after inner ear pressure (IEP) modifications. However, pADH was inversely related with IEP: pADH averaged 31.4 +/- 7.0 pg/ml (mean +/- S.D.) in basal conditions, rising to 48.8 +/- 19.3 when IEP was lowered and falling to 16.6 +/- 10.3 when IEP was raised. These results confirm that structures in the inner ear help control of ADH release.

Animals↗

[Study on the medium normalized velocity of circumferential lengthening of the fiber using ultrasound. I. Evaluation of left-ventricular compliance].

The following parameters obtained by echocardiography have been measured in a group of normal subjects and in a group suffering from hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS): 1) speed of mitral valve protodiastolic closing (MVV); 2) circumferential lengthening speed of the fibre (MVCL) both standardized and otherwise. There is a good correlation between MVCL and MVV (P = 0.01 and 0.05). Since a low mitral valve closing rate is an indirect index for measuring ventricular compliance, the use of the MVCL can be considered valid for the same purposes. Using this it has in fact been possible to distinguish subjects with IHSS in which lower MVV is an index of reduced compliance, from normal subjects.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗

[Study on the medium normalized velocity of circumferential lengthening of the fiber using ultrasound. II. Use of the construction of left-ventricle performance curves].

Telediastolic pressure and volume can readily be employed as expressions of sarcomere length when constructing ventricular performance curves for the normal heart. In pathological hearts, however, these parameters are rendered inadequate as a result of altered compliance, which means that diastolic lengthening of the muscle fibre cell must be determined from telediastolic stress and linear compliance, corrected for wall thickness (muscle fibre stretch, strain index). Ventricular performance curves were constructed for normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, using the normalised mean rate of circumferential lengthening of the fibre as the expression of fiber strength. Comparison was made with the mean circumferential shortening rate and the ejection fraction as the expression of ventricular effort. It was found that both normal subjects and stenosis patients lay on the same curve, the latter acting low down through having short sarcomeres.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗