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Biomedical subjects

C Bertolini

Publications and source records attributed to C Bertolini.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Terfenadine and fexofenadine reduce in vitro ICAM-1 expression on human continuous cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial cells and fibroblasts play an important role in allergic inflammation. Modulation of surface expression of adhesion molecules on epithelial cells by antiallergic drugs has been shown by both in vivo and in vitro studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect exerted by terfenadine and fexofenadine on adhesion molecules expression (CD54/ICAM-1 and CD29) of a human continuously cultured conjunctival epithelial cell line (WK) and a fibroblast cell line (HEL). METHODS: By means of flow cytometry analysis, we evaluated ICAM-1 and CD29 expression by WK and HEL epithelial cells in basal condition (at baseline) or after IFN gamma or TNF alpha stimulation in the presence or in the absence of terfenadine and fexofenadine. We also performed immunoenzymatic assays in order to evaluate soluble ICAM-1 released by WK cells and procollagen type I and III and IL6 released by HEL cells. RESULTS: Terfenadine and fexofenadine significantly reduced ICAM-1 basal expression on WK cells at the concentration of 1 microg/mL and 50 microg/mL, respectively. In addition, both terfenadine and fexofenadine were able to decrease soluble ICAM-1 levels in IFN gamma-stimulated WK cells. On HEL fibroblasts, fexofenadine only was able to inhibit ICAM-1 upregulation induced by IFN gamma. Concerning the release of fibroblast products, we observed a dose-dependent decrease of spontaneous IL6 release only in the presence of fexofenadine. CONCLUSION: This study shows that terfenadine and fexofenadine exert a biologic effect directly on epithelial cells and fibroblasts reducing ICAM-1 expression and partially reducing soluble ICAM-1 release.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1997

Seasonal rhinitis and azelastine: long- or short-term treatment?

BACKGROUND: Azelastine is a topical antihistamine, clinically demonstrated to be effective in allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the clinical efficacy and the antiallergic activity of azelastine nasal spray, administered 0.56 mg per day, 0.28 mg per day, or on demand over a 3-month period during natural allergen exposure, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion. METHODS: Thirty patients, sensitized to grass or Parietaria pollen, were allocated to three treatment groups: those receiving the standard dosage (0.14 mg/nostril two times a day), half the dosage (0.07 mg/nostril two times a day), or placebo daily for 3 months. All patients were allowed to take additional doses of azelastine when needed. Evaluation parameters were as follows: clinical symptoms recorded on a diary card, number of additional, on-demand azelastine puffs, nasal inflammatory cell count, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells, and pollen count. RESULTS: This study showed the following: (1) the half dose (0.28 mg/day) and the standard dose (0.56 mg/day) were equally effective in reducing clinical symptoms (p = NS), although the standard dosage required fewer additional puffs during times of peak pollen counts (p < 0.05); (2) both dosages were able to reduce the allergic inflammation (p < 0.05 vs placebo); and (3) on-demand use achieved acceptable clinical control but did not significantly reduce allergic inflammation. CONCLUSION: Continuous treatment was more effective than on-demand use as assessed by both clinical evaluation and antiinflammatory action.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1996

Topical azelastine reduces eosinophil activation and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells: an antiallergic activity.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that allergen-specific nasal challenge (ASNC) is a fruitful tool with which to evaluate antiallergic activity exerted by a drug. Azelastine is a new antihistamine also available in topical form (i.e., nasal spray). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of azelastine nasal spray on inflammatory changes after ASNC in both the early-phase reaction and the late-phase reaction. METHODS: The study had a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, and parallel-group design. Twenty patients with pollen allergy were enrolled out of pollen season. ASNC was performed at baseline (TO) and after 1 week of washout (T7). At T7, 10 patients sprayed azelastine (1 puff) into their nostrils, and 10 patients used placebo. ASNC was performed after 30 minutes. The considered parameters (evaluated during early- and late-phase reactions) were: (1) clinical signs and symptoms, (2) cytologic assessment (neutrophils and eosinophils), (3) assay-of mediators (eosinophil cationic protein and myeloperoxidase), and (4) expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on nasal epithelial cells. We focused our attention on ICAM-1 because it is the natural ligand of leukocyte functional associated antigen-1 and Mac-1, expressed on eosinophils. In addition, ICAM-1 is expressed on epithelial cells only on allergen exposure (both natural and experimental). RESULTS: Placebo did not exert any modification on the considered parameters. After azelastine administration, significant decreases in total symptom score, eosinophilic and neutrophilic infiltration, and ICAM-1 expression were observed during both early- and late-phase reactions. Furthermore, serum eosinophil cationic protein levels decreased during the late-phase reaction, whereas myeloperoxidase was not affected by the treatment. These findings were confirmed by the powerful Koch's split-plot statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: Azelastine exerts antiallergic activity, mainly affecting eosinophil function and downregulating ICAM-1 expression, on nasal epithelial cells.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1992

[Respiratory inductive plethysmography in the functional evaluation of patients undergoing coronary by-pass surgery].

The functional respiratory changes following coronary by-pass surgery were previously evaluated with the traditional spirometric method. Aim of this work is to introduce the respiratory inductive plethismography (RIP), a well known non-invasive technique, into the study of those volumetric and ventilatory modifications. Eight cardioischemic patients were selected: all but one were free from pulmonary disorders. The tidal volume, the respiratory rate, the minute ventilation, the vital capacity and the relation between the abdominal and the thoracic part of the ventilatory act, were measured in the pre-intervention session and in the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after the operation of coronary by-pass. In the same sessions, except the 1st day after surgery, the maximal respiratory pressures were evaluated with traditional manometers. The functional changes of the examined parameters, statistically studied with the variance analysis, closely resemble the spirometric modifications registered by other authors. Furthermore the relative contributions of the thoracic and abdominal compartments of the pulmonary ventilation were evaluated, thanks to the non-invasive plethysmographic method. Rip makes it possible to measure the ventilatory pattern and some pulmonary volumes in the very early phases after thoracic surgery, without any trouble for the patient and in a non-collaborative state of consciousness, too.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Axial deviations of the spine in blind children.

The authors screened blind children from a special school to determine whether there is any correlation between idiopathic scoliosis and changes in the postural control system induced by blindness. Children with disabilities in addition to blindness, and children under the age of 8 years were excluded. They selected a homogeneous sample of 46 children of whom 39 were congenitally blind and 7 had become blind after birth. The results in the congenitally blind group were highly significant both quantitatively (59% exhibited structural deviations of the spine) and qualitatively. Apart from 2 cases they all exhibited multiple short scoliotic curves with unique characteristics rarely seen in sighted subjects. Despite this, the authors feel unable to make any categorical assertions regarding the possible role played by functional changes in the exterosensory and proprioceptive organs in the pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis. They suggest that the development of such multiple small curves in congenital blindness is simply the response of a congenitally deprived mechanism of body development to achieve stable equilibrium in the spine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[Digital radiography].

The reliability of radiographical information may be improved by a) standardised radiography (exposure-development); b) transformation of the original image into a densitometric image and equalization with a reference wedge made of Ergal. The linear absorption coefficient of Ergal in terms of photon X energy is almost identical to the average coefficient of the bone mineral matrix; c) processing the densitometric image for additional information. An automatic image analyser controlled by a computer is used. The first osteological results showing the correspondence between the densitometric measurements provided by the analyser and the actual bone mineral content revealed by chemical analysis are presented.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nedocromil sodium and the immune response.

Chromones are frequently employed in the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. Following our recent investigations concerning the influence of some antiallergic drugs, such as cromoglycate sodium, steroids, oxatomide and ketotifen (H1 antihistamines), and theophylline, on the immune response, in the present study we analyzed the in vitro effects of a new chromone derivative, nedocromil, on the immune response. To this end, the proliferation of peripheral mononuclear cells (PMNCs) induced by mitogen (PHA) and by CD3, CD2 or CD28 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) has been studied. Since the effects of nedocromil on immunological parameters are achieved at 10(-7) mol/l, in the experiments herein reported the drug was tested in the cultures at concentrations of 10(-8), 10(-7) and 10(-6) mol/l. Furthermore, the effect of nedocromil was evaluated on the surface expression of the following markers expressed by PMNCs upon activation: ICAM-1 (CD54), LFA-1 and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP). The results of the present investigation showed no effect of nedocromil on these immunological parameters. These data acquire clinical relevance when related to previous reports showing a depression of the immunological response exerted by other compounds, such as ketotifen, theophylline and steroids.

Adult↗