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Biomedical subjects

A Tarantino

Publications and source records attributed to A Tarantino.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Inhibition of rat colon motility by stimulation of atypical beta-adrenoceptors with new gut-specific agents.

The new putative beta-adrenergic agonists SR 58306A, 2-[(7-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphth-2-yl)amino]-1-phenylethanol hydrochloride and SR 58339A, 2-[(7-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphth-2-yl)amino]-1- (3-chlorphenyl) ethanol hydrochloride, were studied in vitro in comparison with reference compounds. SR 58306A and SR 58339A, unlike isoprenaline and the beta2 selective adrenergic agonists salbutamol and ritodrine, potently inhibited rat colon spontaneous contractions (EC50 5.9 and 1.1 x 10(-7) M) without increasing guinea-pig atrium frequency or relaxing guinea-pig trachea. The nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonists alprenolol, pindolol and propranolol competitively antagonized the action of SR 58306A on the colon, which was not prevented by either of the selective antagonists atenolol (beta 1) and ICI 118551 (beta 2). In the same preparation only alprenolol competitively antagonized isoprenaline; antagonism by either pindolol or propranolol was not competitive. These results suggest that in the rat colon isoprenaline interacts with different beta-receptor subclasses, whereas our new gut-specific compounds such as SR 58306A inhibit colonic motility by selectively stimulating atypical beta-adrenoceptors.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1988

The Milan clinical trial with cyclosporine in cadaveric renal transplantation. A three-year follow-up.

Between February and November 1983, 108 recipients of cadaveric renal transplants entered a randomized multicenter trial and were treated either with cyclosporine (CsA) and prednisone (n = 55) or with conventional treatment based on azathioprine (Aza) and glucocorticoids (n = 53). The graft survival probability at 3 years was 76% for CsA patients and 48% for Aza patients (P less than 0.001). The cumulative number of acute rejections was significantly lower in the CsA group (32 vs. 104, P less than 0.001). Incidence of early posttransplant anuria was similar in both groups and did not affect renal function after three years. Nephrotoxicity in CsA patients, when present, was handled by reducing the dose of CsA, but in 12/55 patients a change to conventional therapy was thought to be necessary. However, in this group of 12, one patient lost the allograft because of irreversible rejection and one patient died 14 months later because of an infection. Mean creatinine clearance after three years was significantly lower in the CsA patients (54.7 +/- 2.6 ml/min) than in Aza patients, (67.2 +/- 4.9 ml/min, P less than 0.05). Considering only patients with grafts functioning after three years and still on the original randomized therapy, the mean creatinine clearance was similarly and significantly decreased from 1 to 3 years in both groups. There were no significant differences in occurrence of severe infections. Side effects such as hypertension, hypertrichosis, tremor and gum hyperplasia were more frequent in CsA patients.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1988

A randomized trial comparing triple-drug and double-drug therapy in renal transplantation.

A controlled trial was carried out in 86 cadaveric and 14 living haploidentical renal transplant recipients to compare the effects of low doses of cyclosporine (CsA), azathioprine (Aza) and steroids with those of higher doses of CsA plus steroids. Patients were followed for 12-26 months after transplantation. The actuarial 2-year patient and graft survival rate was 100% for living-donor transplants. In cadaver renal transplants the 2-year patient survival rate was 100% for patients assigned to the triple regimen and 93% for those allocated to the double regimen. The actuarial 2-year cadaver graft survival rates were 86% and 90.6%, respectively. There were significantly more patients who had severe infections (P less than 0.05), particularly interstitial pneumonia (P less than 0.005), in the double-therapy group. On the other hand, there were more patients who rejected and more patients with severe rejections; more pulses of steroids were also required for patients on the triple regimen, although these differences were not significant. The mean trough blood levels of cyclosporine at the various times were about half as high in patients on triple therapy. There were no differences between the two groups in creatinine clearance at any time. A control renal biopsy, taken from patients with stable renal function after 6-12 months, showed only mild abnormalities. The lesions were semiquantitatively assessed. There was a higher score for interstitial infiltrate in patients on triple therapy (P less than 0.05). On the other hand, the incidence and the mean score of interstitial fibrosis were greater in patients on double therapy, although these differences were not significant. Thus, although similar results were obtained with both regimens, at the doses we used double therapy seems to have more powerful immunosuppressive effects and may prevent rejection, either acute or chronic, better. However, it might expose the patient to a greater risk of infection and of cyclosporine-related nephrotoxicity than triple therapy.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1987

Renal lesions in ciclosporin A-treated kidney transplant patients.

Ninety renal biopsies (RB) in 73 out of 152 ciclosporin A (CsA)-treated allograft patients were studied by light and electron microscopy; they were grouped according to the clinical setting: (1) prolonged posttransplant anuria (9 RB), (2) early graft function deterioration (14 RB), (3) late graft function deterioration (15 RB) and (4) control biopsies (52 RB) at least 6 months after Tx. Glomerular, tubular abnormalities, interstitial cellular infiltrate and fibrosis, peritubular capillary mononuclear cell congestion (PCC), vascular changes and erythrocyte extravasation were evaluated and the following morphologic patterns were identified alone or in combination: acute (AR) and acute on chronic rejection (ACR), toxic tubulopathy (TT), interstitial stripe fibrosis (ISF), CsA-associated arteriolopathy (CsAA). AR was observed in 95% of RB in group 1 and 2, and in 26% in group 3, never in group 4; PCC and TT were only observed concomitantly with AR; ACR was found in 26% of group 3; ISF in 53% of group 3, sometimes linked to CsAA and, of moderate entity, in 70% of group 4. CsAA was noted in 10% of all RB, mainly in group 3 (26%), although in some RB of group 2 (13%) as well.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Cutaneous lesions in 67 cyclosporin-treated renal transplant recipients.

Sixty-seven out of 100 kidney transplant recipients treated with cyclosporin and methylprednisolone were evaluated for the presence of dermatological manifestations. Only 2 patients had no dermatological lesions; 80% had iatrogenic lesions, 38% infectious, 13% miscellaneous, 3% cancerous lesions, while 28% had cutaneous manifestations related to previous uremic state. Most of the lesions concerned the pilosebaceous unit: hypertrichosis (60%), epidermal cysts (28%), pilar keratosis (21%), acne (15%), folliculitis (12%) and sebaceous hyperplasia (10%). Among infectious manifestations, viral lesions were the most frequent and were very severe in the first month after transplantation. Two patients developed a squamous-cell epithelioma and a probable cutaneous lymphoma, respectively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Relative affinities of the quaternary narcotic antagonist, N-methyl levallorphan (SR 58002), for different types of opioid receptors.

The relative affinities for different subtypes of opioid receptors (mu, kappa and delta) of the peripheral narcotic antagonist N-methyl levallorphan (SR 58002) have been studied in two in vitro smooth muscle systems (guinea-pig ileum and rabbit vas deferens) and by binding studies (guinea-pig brain and cerebellum membranes) using selective tritiated ligands. All the evidence obtained indicates that SR 58002 is a pure antagonist with relative affinity for mu receptors vs kappa and delta superior to that of the parent tertiary compound, levallorphan.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Controlled trial of two different methylprednisolone doses in cadaveric renal transplantation.

In a controlled trial the effects of two different methylprednisolone (MP) schedules were studied in 100 cadaver kidney adult recipients followed for 18-46 months. Group A patients were given 160 mg/day i.v. for 3 days, then oral MP (0.8 mg/kg/day), which was tapered by 4 mg/week to a maintenance dose of 16 mg/day up to the 6th month. Group B patients were given 80 mg/day i.v. for 3 days followed by 0.4 mg/kg/day oral MP; the dose was reduced by 2 mg/week to 16 mg/day. In both groups, the dose was further reduced bimonthly to a final dose of 8 mg/day. No significant differences were evidenced between the two groups in patients and kidney survival or in the incidence of complications. The number of patients with at least one rejection episode was significantly higher in the lower dose group.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Gingival hyperplasia by nifedipine. Report of a case.

We describe a case of gingival hyperplasia in a 36-year-old renal transplantation recipient treated with nifedipine for severe arterial hypertension. The appearance of the gingival disorder was probably related to nifedipine intake. Histologically, in addition to the findings of acanthosis, papillomatosis and connective tissue hyperplasia, there was also an important plasma cell inflammatory infiltrate.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Quaternary derivatives of narcotic antagonists: stereochemical requirements at the chiral nitrogen for in vitro and in vivo activity.

We have studied three pairs of diastereoisomers of quaternary narcotic antagonists and their parent tertiary amines, levallorphan, nalorphine and naloxone, to see how configuration about the chiral nitrogen affects in vitro and in vivo activity. In each series only the diastereoisomer obtained by methylation of the N-allyl substituted tertiary amine (N-methyl diast.) was potent in displacing 3H-naltrexone from rat brain membranes (Ki 10(-8) - 10(-7)M) and as pure morphine antagonist in the guinea-pig ileum (Ki 10(-8)-10(-7)M). Conversely, diastereoisomers obtained by reacting N-methyl substituted tertiary amines with allyl halide (N-allyl diast.) did not displace 3H-naltrexone, up to 10(-6)M, and had negligible antagonist activity and slight agonist action in the guinea-pig ileum. In vivo findings (charcoal meal transit test in mice) were generally consistent with those in vitro. Thus only the N-methyl but not the N-allyl diast. inhibited morphine constipation and behaved as pure antagonists.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Cutaneous manifestations in renal transplant recipients.

Out of 105 renal transplant recipients 100 had skin lesions: 55% iatrogenic, 74% infectious, 12% precancerous or cancerous and 4% miscellaneous. Many of these lesions were at least in part transient, and steroid-related skin lesions became less frequent as years progressed. The more frequent infections were the fungal ones, followed by viral and bacterial infections with different patterns of onset. All the precancerous lesions appeared late and were almost exclusively represented by actinic keratoses; 2 evolved into squamous cell epitheliomata. 2 patients died due to Kaposi's sarcoma and melanoma. The high incidence of skin cancers in transplanted patients and the rapid evolution of dyskeratoses into spinaliomas warrants close dermatological surveillance.

Adolescent↗