Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A V Greco

Publications and source records attributed to A V Greco.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Effect of somatostatin (SRIF) on plasma glucose and insulin response to glucagon in liver cirrhosis.

The present study was performed in order to evaluate the plasma glucose pattern in cirrhotic patients who, in the course of a continuous somatostatin infusion (500 microgram/h), were given pulses of glucagon (1 mg i.v.). In normal as well as in cirrhotic subjects somatostatin infusion provoked a marked reduction of the IRI plasma level and this was uninfluenced by subsequent glucagon administration. The rise in plasma glucose level in response to i.v. glucagon administration during somatostatin infusion was less marked in cirrhotics compared to normal subjects. This can be attributed to a variety of factors such as reduced number of liver cells or quantitative or qualitative changes of the liver cell glucagon receptors. Glucagon does not seem to contribute to the pathogenesis of carbohydrate intolerance in liver cirrhosis.

Adult↗

Decreased insulin binding to red blood cells in liver cirrhosis.

eleven male cirrhotic subjects, all with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), were studied. Insulin binding to circulating erythrocytes was evaluated. The specific bound fraction was decreased compared to normals (5.95 +/-0.76 vs 7.08 +/- 0.84%; p less than 0.005). An negative correlation was found between fasting insulin and bound fraction (r = -0.68; p less than 0.05). We suggest that serum insulin may be chronically augmented as a consequence of liver damage. This induces a down-regulation of insulin receptors that is responsible for insulin resistance and at least in part for the impairment of glucose tolerance.

Erythrocytes↗

Ketoalkalosis as a result of triple derangement of acid-base equilibrium in a diabetic patient.

A diabetic patient presented with weight loss, ketosis, and hyperventilation, thus mimicking the clinical picture of diabetic ketoacidosis. Laboratory investigations revealed alkalemia and a pattern consistent with a triple derangement of acid-base equilibrium: respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis. High cortisol level suggested a genesis of ketosis different from diabetes mellitus. The patient died suddenly from acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Autopsy showed a carcinoma of the head of the pancreas with secondary portal hypertension and rupture of varices. Pulmonary micrometastases were demonstrated. It is suggested that stress hormones were the main cause of the 'ketoalkalotic' pattern observed.

Aged↗

Thromboxane production in diabetes mellitus.

A correlation between increased platelet adhesiveness and aggregation and the development of angiopathy in diabetes mellitus can be made. Thromboxane produced by platelets represents a potent platelet aggregation factor. We studied the platelet TXB2 production during blood coagulation in carefully selected patients with type II diabetes mellitus in good metabolic control and the results were correlated with the presence or absence of microangiopathy, fasting blood glucose levels, type of therapy, age, duration of diabetes and the most important hematochemical parameters. No statistically significant differences were found between serum TXB2 concentrations in diabetic patients and control subjects, in diabetics with or without microangiopathy and in diabetics on insulin therapy or on oral hypoglycemic agents. We did not observe any correlation between TXB2 production and age, duration of diabetes, sex, basal blood glucose levels, total and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, blood creatinine and blood electrolytes. The thromboxane production may be a not important factor for determining the increased platelet aggregation which is at the origin of the angiopathy in diabetes mellitus.

Adult↗

ACTH 1-17 effects in the chemotherapy of advanced solid tumors.

The effect of administration of a synthetic ACTH analogue (ACTH 1-17, Synchrodyn) in the chemotherapy of advanced-phase solid tumors was studied. In this preliminary report the following data are evaluated: response rate; occurrence of toxic effects; performance status of patients; several immunological parameters. The administration of Synchrodyn seems mainly to influence the lymphocyte subpopulations and the occurrence of toxic effects. A final evaluation of the role that may be played by chronotherapy in the treatment of tumors must await further studies on the clinical response and tolerance.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Response of insulin receptors to oral glucose in normal subjects.

Insulin binding to circulating monocytes was studied in ten male volunteers before and 1, 2, and 5 hours after the oral intake of 100 g of glucose. Results indicate an increase in the specific cell binding fraction with a change in receptor affinity 5 hours after glucose. Since the same changes appear 3 hours after food intake they are probably not directly induced by insulinemia.

Adult↗

Preliminary studies of a dicarboxylic acid as an energy substrate in man.

Azelaic acid (Az), a straight saturated chain nine carbon dicarboxylic acid, was administered in saline form to six healthy male volunteers by iv route. Serum levels of Az and urinary amounts of both azelaic and pimelic (C7) acids were measured by an improved gas liquid chromatographic method. Stoichiometric analysis of Az metabolism was compared with that of glucose and palmitic acid. The respiratory quotient (RQ) as well as the ATP/CO2 ratio of Az were quite similar to that of palmitic acid. Therefore, Az oxidation is associated with a low cost of ATP synthesis in terms of carbon dioxide production. At the infusion rate used (7.5 g/hr) more than 50% of the administered dose was excreted in the urine. However, the remaining portion was cleared from the plasma in 200 min suggesting an uptake by body tissues which was also confirmed by indirect calorimetric analysis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗