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Biomedical subjects

C Bizzarri

Publications and source records attributed to C Bizzarri.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

G protein-linked receptors in the thyroid.

The FRTL5 cell line has the advantage that its hormonal activation leads to important and measurable thyroid function such as the transport of iodide and the iodination of thyroglobulin. Secondly, the coexistence in the plasma membrane of these cells of several physiologically relevant receptors (TSH, alpha 1-adrenergic, M1 and M2 muscarinic, insulin, IGF1) coupled to at least three transducing enzymes (adenylyl cyclase, PLC, PLA2) gives the possibility to analyze the interaction among second messengers in the cell activation process. This has allowed us and others to show that in the case of the iodide efflux regulation at least two second messengers (Ca++ and arachidonic acid) mediate the adrenergic stimulation, whereas the TSH activation of the same phenomenon probably uses other signals in addition to Ca++ and arachidonic acid. Growth is mostly regulated by TSH, that activates the adenylyl cyclase by a mechanism that may involve the modulation of the availability of Gi. TSH is also able to regulate an endogenous ADP ribosyl transferase in FRTL5. This could be a novel mechanism of cell regulation by this hormone, but the role of this phenomenon in the physiological action of TSH is still unclear.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bovine beta-casein antibodies in breast- and bottle-fed infants: their relevance in Type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Bovine beta-casein is a cow's milk protein that targets both humoral and cellular immune responses in patients with Type 1 diabetes and, to a lesser degree, also in normal subjects. In this study we aimed to determine whether the avoidance of cow's milk consumption early in life could prevent the development of antibody response to bovine beta-casein despite the mother being exposed on a daily basis to cow's milk consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the antibody response to bovine beta-casein using an ELISA method in 28 healthy infants under 4 months of age, of whom 16 were exclusively breast-fed and 12 were bottle-fed with cow's milk. In addition, beta-casein antibodies were measured in 37 prepubertal children with Type 1 diabetes and in 31 healthy children who were exposed to cow's milk or dairy products to see whether differences in antibody titers exist in this young age group. Antibodies binding to beta-casein were also evaluated by immunoblotting analysis. RESULTS: Elevated levels of beta-casein antibodies were found in bottle-fed infants compared to breast-fed infants (p<0.0001). Antibody levels to bovine beta-casein were also significantly higher in children with Type 1 diabetes compared to age-matched controls (p=0.03). By western blot analysis we confirmed specific binding to bovine beta-casein in bottle-fed infants, in children with Type 1 diabetes and in controls exposed to cow's milk, but not in infants who were exclusively breast-fed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that breastfeeding within the first 4 months of life prevents the generation of antibody response to bovine beta-casein despite the mothers' consumption of cow's milk during the breastfeeding period. These findings may have relevance for disease prevention.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The use of spacer devices as an innovative approach in the treatment of asthma].

In recent years the therapy of childhood asthma has progressively improved; in fact we passed from the exclusive use of oral or parenteral therapy to the prevalent use of aerosol-therapy. The aerosol therapeutic use can be carry out by traditional inhalation devices or by spacer devices (or simply spacers). The spacers have a low price and they allow a better effectiveness of the therapy for the good diffusibility of the drugs. Besides the children usually show a good compliance with this method. We studied the different effectiveness of a beta 2-stimulant drug given by traditional aerosol or by spacer devices. Our data seem to encourage the use of spacers in childhood asthma for the real better effectiveness and for the reduced rate and severity of systemic effects of inhaled drugs.

Acute Disease↗