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Biomedical subjects

B Allolio

Publications and source records attributed to B Allolio.

189 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Effect of meclastine, an H1-antihistamine, on plasma ACTH in adrenal insufficiency.

In order to evaluate the possible role of endogenous histamine in ACTH secretion we investigated the effect of the H1 antagonist meclastine on plasma ACTH in patients with ACTH hypersecretion. Seven patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (group 1) and 5 patients with ACTH dependent Cushing's syndrome (group 2) were given an iv infusion of meclastine (4.8 mg/90 min). In patients of group 2 plasma ACTH was unaffected by meclastine infusion. However, in patients of group 1 with intact steroid feedback meclastine was followed by a significant drop in plasma ACTH as compared with ACTH levels after saline infusion (46.0 +/- 4.6% vs 85.0 +/- 7.0%, P less than 0.01). These results suggest that histamine is involved in the control of ACTH secretion, possibly by stimulation of CRF release.

Addison Disease↗
PubMed1980

[Alcohol-induced Cushing's syndrome: case report (author's transl)].

Reversible Cushing's syndrome with typical physical appearance and increased basal plasma-cortisol level developed in a 48-year-old man with essential arterial hypertension, as a result of chronic alcohol abuse and could not be supressed by prolonged dexamethason inhibition. Alcohol abstinence within a few weeks produced remission with normal adrenocortical function and regulation without any other therapeutic measures. Renewed alcohol consumption quickly brought about again the alcohol-induced Cushing's syndrome. An abnormality of central regulation with inadequate ACTH secretion was the cause of the hypercortisolism. Previously reported cases of alcohol-induced Cushing's syndrome are not uniform: in some the diagnosis is in doubt.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1980

Increased activity of the Na-K-ATPase in red cell-ghosts of patients with Cushing's syndrome: possible significance for the pathogenesis of glucocorticoid-induced hypertension.

The Na-K-ATPase activity of erythrocyte ghosts was increased in 6 patients with Cushing's syndrome compared with 28 control subjects (0.986 +/- 0.291 versus 0.259 +/- 0.1 microM Pi . h-1 . mg-1, p less than 0.001). Ouabain insensitive Mg-ATPase activity was similar in both groups. These data support the concept of an activation of the Na-pump in patients with glucocorticoid excess.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adrenocortical insufficiency in Rhodesian sleeping sickness is not attributable to suramin.

Suramin, a polysulphonated naphthylurea used in the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), is known to cause adrenocortical insufficiency in doses exceeding the quantity used for treatment of HAT. We have previously reported that Trypanosoma brucei rhodesinese infection causes a combined central and peripheral adrenal insufficiency. To evaluate whether suramin therapy acts as an additional adrenotoxic factor, we assessed adrenocortical function in 72 patients suffering from HAT at different times during treatment with either suramin or melarsoprol by a rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone test. We found a significantly diminished peak cortisol response to stimulation in the acutely ill patients (P = 0.001), indicating impaired adrenocortical function, as well as a high incidence of partial adrenocortical insufficiency (27%). During and after trypanocidal therapy the incidence of partial adrenal insufficiency gradually declined (to 25% and 18% respectively). Stimulated peak cortisol levels did not differ significantly between patients receiving suramin and those given melarsoprol. No correlation was found between serum suramin concentration and the cortisol response to stimulation (r = 0.09, P = 0.47). Thus we conclude that suramin in trypanocidal doses neither causes nor worsens the adrenocortical dysfunction observed in Rhodesian HAT.

Addison Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nomifensine-induced immune hemolytic anemia and posttransfusion purpura in the same patient.

A 53-year-old white woman had severe hemolytic anemia while taking nomifensine. A drop of hemoglobin to 61 g per I prompted the transfusion of two units of packed red cells. Nine days later, severe thrombocytopenia with multiple petechiae ensued. Both hemolysis and thrombocytopenia resolved promptly upon withdrawal of the drug and short-term prednisolone treatment. Serologic studies showed nomifensine-dependent, metabolite-specific red cell antibodies as the cause of immune-mediated hemolysis and, in serum samples obtained after purpura, strong platelet-specific PlA1 and weak HLA antibodies suggested a diagnosis of posttransfusion purpura.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of adrenal masses in oncologic patients: dynamic contrast-enhanced MR vs CT.

The CT examinations, precontrast gradient echo MR images, and fast contrast enhanced dynamic MR studies were evaluated in 44 patients with 52 adrenal masses and known malignant disease of different origin. Morphologic features (size, shape, attenuation, contour, and enhancement) on CT scans, signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images, and patterns of enhancement on Gd-DTPA enhanced dynamic MR studies were analyzed in all patients. With dynamic contrast enhanced studies with prolonged imaging up to 15 min after Gd-DTPA, masses with moderate enhancement and complete washout after 10 min were considered as adenomas. Computed tomography and plain MR had a sensitivity of 0.71 and 0.96, a specificity of 0.75 and 0.88, and overall accuracy of 0.56 and 0.71, respectively. Simultaneous use of precontrast MR and dynamic contrast enhanced studies led to an accurate diagnosis in 88% (sensitivity = 1.0, specificity = 0.91) and thus should be considered in oncologic patients with undetermined adrenal masses.

Adenoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The 'incidentaloma' of the pituitary gland. Is neurosurgery required?

We describe a series of 18 patients with an intrasellar mass incidentally discovered by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The average size of the mass was 13 mm, with a range from 5 to 25 mm. Initial ophthalmologic examination revealed bitemporal hemianopia in 2 patients. Results of routine endocrine testing showed partial hypopituitarism in 5 patients and growth hormone hypersecretion without signs and symptoms of acromegaly in 1 patient. Four patients underwent neurosurgery. Histologically, one chondroid chordoma and three pituitary adenomas were found. In the remaining 14 patients treated conservatively, repeated computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no significant change in tumor size at the time of follow-up (median, 22 months). Our results suggest that the "incidentaloma" of the pituitary gland is a benign condition that does not necessarily require neurosurgical intervention.

Adenoma↗