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Biomedical subjects

A V Greco

Publications and source records attributed to A V Greco.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Concentration of serum bile acids as an index of hepatic damage in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the concentration of serum bile acids (SBA) as an index of impaired liver function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients versus usual laboratory tests of hepato-biliary system diseases. In patients with SLE the mean fasting SBA concentration was 9.6 +/- 1.4 mumol/L; in normal subjects the concentration was 2.9 +/- 0.6 mumol/L (P less than 0.01). In patients with SLE, mean gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) concentration was 31.5 +/- 5.9 mU/ml versus 10.05 +/- 1.1 mU/ml in controls (P less than 0.01). The bromsulphalein (BSP) excretion test, 45 minutes after injection, was 6.8 +/- 1% in SLE patients versus 2.8 +/- 0.4% in controls (P less than 0.02). No significant difference was found between these two groups of subjects with respect to leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), alkaline phosphatase (AlPh), glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), bilirubin serum rates. SBA rate was abnormal in 50% of the SLE patients; GGTP rate and the BSP excretion test were abnormal in 38% and 27% respectively. Our findings show the presence of an actual liver impairment in SLE patients, significantly demonstrated by fasting SBA concentration, GGTP rate and BSP excretion test. Other liver function tests are less useful in evaluating hepatic damage in SLE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Distribution of radiolabelled azelaic cid in eye membranes and fluids of rabbits.

A direct cytotoxic effect of azelaic acid on melanocytes of human melanoma has been demonstrated. In view of a possible future therapeutic employment of this drug in the treatment of primary ocular melanoma, we investigated the route of choice of azelaic acid administration in rabbits. Our results evidenced a suden and direct blood absorption of topically (by retrobulbar injection) administered azelaic acid. This is in agreement with the high water solubility of azelaic acid sodium salt. These preliminary reports indicate that the elective route of azelaic administration in primitive eye melanoma is intravenously by continuous infusion.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Does secretin control insulin secretion?

The effect of secretin on insulin release has been studied in normal subjects after prestimulation with arginine. In order to make a comparison a pulse of glucose with arginine prestimulation was given. A pulse of 1 U/kg b.w. of secretin provokes a secretion of insulin that is weak and brief compared to that provoked by glucose; thus secretin fails to potentiate arginine-induced insulin secretion. Such a result does not support the hypothesis of secretin as the central hormone in the enteroinsular axis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Primary aldosteronism: complete remission after adrenal venography.

A remission of adrenal adenoma producing aldosterone is described as a consequence of adrenal venous catheterization. The patient did not undergo surgery but she was kept on frequent clinical controls. The complete remission of the syndrome is still persisting three years after the incident. Since adrenal insufficiency is described after adrenal venous catheterization, the authors suggest that this procedure is to be restricted to well selected patients. When this incident occurs in pathological glands, a remission of endocrine syndrome may be expected.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1984

Amniotic fluid content of glucose, C-peptide and insulin in normal and diabetic pregnancies.

Glucose, C-peptide and insulin concentrations in amniotic fluid were measured in 63 women, 19 of whom had insulin-dependent diabetes. The amniotic fluid glucose concentration was higher in the diabetic (37.4 +/- 4.1) than in the normal women (19.4 +/- 5.1 mg/dl; P less than 0.01). The amniotic fluid insulin concentration was higher in diabetic than non diabetic women (15.9 +/- 3.1 versus 8.9 +/- 2.1 microU/ml; P less than 0.01). The C-peptide concentration was also higher in the amniotic fluid of diabetic women than normal (1.60 +/- 0.66 vs 0.26 +/- 0.15 nmol/l; P less than 0.001). The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in the amniotic fluid was greater than 2 in 61 mothers; only two diabetic patients had an L/S ratio lower than 2. Five neonates of diabetic mothers were macrosomic and three of these were also hypoglycaemic. A negative correlation was observed in diabetic women between insulin and C-peptide concentrations in the amniotic fluid and Apgar score of the newborn infants both at 1 and 5 minutes; no correlation was found on the contrary with the amniotic glucose. In the prognostic evaluation of the fetus with a diabetic mother one must consider many parameters. Among these more consideration must be given to the levels of C-peptide and insulin in amniotic fluid than to glucose level.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1983

The possible role of free fatty acids in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones in man.

The lipid composition of hepatic and gallbladder bile was examined in 20 patients with cholesterol gallstones and in 20 control subjects. Lipid fractions other than bile salts, phospholipids and cholesterol were found to be present, i.e., sterol esters, non-identified fractions and, above all, free fatty acids. The latter probably originated from biliary phospholipids via activity of phospholipases, present in the gallbladder wall. No significant difference in amount and pattern of free fatty acids and phospholipids was found in hepatic bile between patients with gallstones and controls. On the contrary, we observed relevant differences in the lipid composition of gallbladder bile. In this way, we consider that the bile becomes lithogenic inside the gallbladder as a consequence of release of free fatty acids, particularly if these are constituted by saturated chains. In fact, these can compete with cholesterol in the solubilization in biliary micelles. On the other hand, free fatty acids can be directly toxic for the gallbladder wall and produce a cholecystitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Changes in thyroid hormone metabolism in subjects with liver cirrhosis].

The behaviour of the serum levels of thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3' tri-iodothyronine (T3), TSH and of the free binding sites of the thyroid hormones binding globulins in 23 patients affected by hepatic cirrhosis, is described in function of the severity of the disease. The values obtained have been statistically compared to those of a group of 14 healthy subjects. A decrease of the serum levels of T3 directly related to the severity of the disease has been remarked in the cirrhotic patients, while no significant differences in the serum levels of T4 and TSH and in the number of free binding sites on the thyroid hormones binding globulins have been noted between the two groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Hyperosmolar diabetic coma. Case reports and review of the literature].

The physiopathology and clinical picture of hyperosmolar diabetic coma are described, and four personal cases are presented. This form of coma is a rare, but particularly serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Since its prognosis is poor, even when suitable treatment is provided, the greatest possible care should be devoted to preventing its main cause, namely dehydration.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Analysis of conjugated bile acids by high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Because of the known advantages of coupling high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) in biological fluids, studies on the reversed-phase HPLC-MS system for direct analysis of conjugated bile acids in human bile samples are described. Ten samples of gallbladder bile of apparently healthy subjects were examined. The amounts of each tauro- and glycoconjugated bile acid as trifluoracetate were determined by mass fragmentography. Quantitation of at least 1 ng of each bile acid was possible.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

[Somatostatin].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1982

[Hepatic hemangioma: limitations of echo-scintigraphic diagnosis].

The Authors report a case of percutaneous liver biopsy of a solitary hepatic lesion complicated by a serious haemorrhage. By a timely surgical operation an hepatic hemangioma has been detected. The lack of diagnostic accuracy of the echo-scintigraphic detection in assessing a solitary hepatic lesion is analyzed.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

[Serum gastrin in rheumatoid arthritis].

Since 1973 some Authors reported a high prevalence of raise serum gastrin levels in rheumatoid arthritis. In our study of 37 subjects with classic or defined RA, 29 (78%) had serum gastrin levels significantly higher than controls (mean 156.3% pg/ml versus 58.8 pg/ml) and 8 (22%) had normal levels. Basal acid output (BAO) and maximal acid output (MAO) of all affected patients did not differ from controls. We found no correlation among gastrinaemia, BAO, MAO, inflammation indexes and RA test. According to the normal acid output of our RA patients, hypergastrinaemia should be caused by factors different from hypochlorhydria. It is possible that immunoreactive, but non biologically active, peptides could interfere with RIA of gastrin, or that other factors, such as prostaglandins or antigastrin antibodies, could modify the activity of endogenous hormone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[Serum concentration of bile acids as an index of liver lesions in rheumatoid arthritis].

Many Authors reported an impairment of liver function tests in Rheumatoid Arthritis (R.A.) No study can be found on Serum Bile Acids (S.B.A.), which are a specific index of liver dysfunction. In a series of 20 patients, affected by R.A. and without other causes of hepatic damage, we found S.B.A. elevated in 80% (mean value 14,1 muM/l versus 2,6 muM/l in controls), bromosulphalein retenction (BSP) elevated in 60% and glutamyltranspeptidase (GT) in 55%. These results confirm BSP and GT frequent impairment, as found by others, and give evidence to S.B.A. reliability in evaluating liver function in R.A.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

[Acute adult respiratory distress in a gram-negative infection. Clinical contribution].

The adult respiratory distress syndrome in major complication of hospitalized patients. The therapeutic role of intravenous albumin, diuretics, corticosteroids and oxygen administration is yet doubtful. The Authors, after a description of pathogenetic, histological and clinical aspects of the syndrome, report a case occurred at their observation; it is showed the important role of intravascular coagulopathy and reversible ECG alterations, and the therapeutic valve of positive end-expiratory pressures (PEEP).

Aged↗